RANT HERE thread

[Melchizedek]

---

Members do not see this ad.

he got "preliminary results from the tech". hasn't even heard from the doc yet so I wouldn't be surprised if it's within normal range. like I said earlier, I really doubted he has apnea just based off his snoring (but what do I know, lol)
any other recs for "snoring reduction options"? it sounded like you have a fair bit of experience 😛
edit I also wonder if him not being allowed to sleep on his stomach for the study affected the results? I have no clue how these things work!

Sucks insurance is being annoying about it, but my brother was/is in the same boat.
Some alternative treatment things recommended to him were:

1. Losing weight
He was slightly overweight at the time which was a factor.

2. Retraining breathing
Doing yoga, meditation, tai-chi etc. anything where you HAVE to focus on your breathing and training the body to breathe harder from the diaphragm and pull air volume at a high pressure.

3. Chin strap/mouth guard
Pull the jaw into a position that won’t obstruct the airway when the oropharyngeal muscles relax.

4. Muscle exercise.
I’m super skeptical of this one but it was suggested he do “exercises” to strengthen his oropharyngeal muscles so that they don’t slack up when he sleeps. I mean it sounds like the right idea, it seems to have helped a few people according to his doc, but it just doesn’t seem quiiiite right to me.


Hope it helps.

 

[Stroganoff]

(Obligatory I'm not a doc.)

any other recs for "snoring reduction options"? it sounded like you have a fair bit of experience

Sleep on your side, duh. I guess gravity's evil and can really close things up more in that position. Also, taken CPR recently? Head tilt, chin lift to open the airway? Perhaps a posture where the chin is too close to the chest (such as too many pillows or weird couch sleeping positions) exacerbates snoring and hypopneas/apneas. If back sleeping, can experiment with different pillow types/sizes or even a rolled up towel at the base of the skull to support a good neutral, comfortable position. Seasonal allergies can make things worse. Alcohol consumption, muscle relaxants. Stuff with specific stage of sleep (but this is way too neuro for me) can affect muscle tone and ventilation/respiration.

I'm told I snore. Doesn't bother me any. Except when it does and I wake myself up and I'm like "the **** was that?"

I think there's all sorts of inventions from nasal strips to dental appliance thingies to electrical stimulation stuff. I'm not a doc so can't advise one or the other.

In hindsight, I'm a posture and ergonomics nerd now (now that I'm in my 30s and joints started being angry at me in my mid-20s 24/7)... there are correct and incorrect ways to sleep on one's side (like leg pillows and such) and even back. And just the right amount of c-spine angle since pillows could hurt more than help. Tummy sleeping -- I'm soo jealous -- might be a luxury that soon goes away.

Re: snoring, you said earplugs fall out of your ears, so that's a no go. Sleep in separate rooms. Screw the norms.

Maybe chop his tongue off when he's sleeping?



*invents noise-cancelling speakers built into one's bed that use destructive interference to listen to snoring and generates the inverse sound waves to cancel out snores in real-time*
*gets ****ing rich af*

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

(Obligatory I'm not a doc.)

Sleep on your side, duh. I guess gravity's evil and can really close things up more in that position. Also, taken CPR recently? Head tilt, chin lift to open the airway? Perhaps a posture where the chin is too close to the chest (such as too many pillows or weird couch sleeping positions) exacerbates snoring and hypopneas/apneas. If back sleeping, can experiment with different pillow types/sizes or even a rolled up towel at the base of the skull to support a good neutral, comfortable position. Seasonal allergies can make things worse. Alcohol consumption, muscle relaxants. Stuff with specific stage of sleep (but this is way too neuro for me) can affect muscle tone and ventilation/respiration.

I'm told I snore. Doesn't bother me any. Except when it does and I wake myself up and I'm like "the **** was that?"

I think there's all sorts of inventions from nasal strips to dental appliance thingies to electrical stimulation stuff. I'm not a doc so can't advise one or the other.

In hindsight, I'm a posture and ergonomics nerd now (now that I'm in my 30s and joints started being angry at me in my mid-20s 24/7)... there are correct and incorrect ways to sleep on one's side (like leg pillows and such) and even back. And just the right amount of c-spine angle since pillows could hurt more than help. Tummy sleeping -- I'm soo jealous -- might be a luxury that soon goes away.

Re: snoring, you said earplugs fall out of your ears, so that's a no go. Sleep in separate rooms. Screw the norms.

Maybe chop his tongue off when he's sleeping?



*invents noise-cancelling speakers built into one's bed that use destructive interference to listen to snoring and generates the inverse sound waves to cancel out snores in real-time*
*gets ****ing rich af*

thanks for the recs! I am def going to buy some better ear plugs and try to figure out a system where I can put them that jazzy doesnt try to eat them when she comes in to the bedroom in the morning. she's obsessed with ears, **** is weird af lol

he regularly has a drink before bed, but I guess the doctor said that only 3+ drinks or so would really make a difference on that front. hopefully the allergy meds and maybe him exercising more will help. he isn't overweight, but he could definitely get more in shape, just like I can! he still coaches and plays soccer. but he only plays rec leagues obviously, which isn't the same amount of fitness required to be a college athlete.


(to change the subject)
I'm super excited (but my wallet isn't) to get a legit desk set up this summer. If you have any recs on that, feel free to PM me! I'm considering getting a used Herman miller chair. There's used office places near me that sell them for ~somewhat~ affordable prices. I also really want to get an adjustable monitor. My back was in so much pain most of last year, and I cannot go through that again.

 

[Stroganoff]

she's obsessed with ears, **** is weird af lol

Not weird. Some just love dat aural.

(to change the subject)
I'm super excited (but my wallet isn't) to get a legit desk set up this summer. If you have any recs on that, feel free to PM me! I'm considering getting a used Herman miller chair. There's used office places near me that sell them for ~somewhat~ affordable prices. I also really want to get an adjustable monitor. My back was in so much pain most of last year, and I cannot go through that again.

I've heard of Herman Miller chairs! Like they enforce good sitting posture and are rated for all-day sitting. I think they're rated by hours/day sitting or something? Aren't they $1000ish? Or maybe $300s? I haven't looked into legit ergonomic chairs yet tbh.

BUT. I've definitely been keeping notes on fancy standing desks! And treadmill desks and other weird stuff. Here's what I wrote in my notes based on random thoughts but I dunno what to get yet:

Desk:

• UpDesk or VertDesk?
• Autonomous: Smart Office with Standing Desks, Ergonomic Chairs by Autonomous
• iMovR: iMovR Lander Desks made in USA / iMovR Treadmill Desks, Standing Desks, Sit-Stand Converters, and Office Fitness Furniture

I have a Made in USA fetish, so I tend to splurge on that. I dunno.


Edit: I'm actually monitor shopping right now. I've been using my 20" Samsung from 2006 and I need to get something bigger, clearer, better. I think some kind of 27" - 32" at 1440p resolution. With good other specs like color and refresh rate and built-in blue reduction for eyestrain. I think if the resolution is too high (like a 4k monitor) or the screen size is too small, people tend to lean forward (forward neck posture) and that royally leads to neck and back and shoulder problems and repetitive stress injury. So I'm going HUGE this time but 1440p is a happy medium.

As long as the monitor has a detachable stand, you can buy whatever VESA monitor stand you want and just screw it on. Like, there's fancy VESA stands for 2, 3, 4, 10 monitors.

Here's a picture since it's easier to explain:

So I'm thinking if I get a fancy standing desk convertible thing, I'll get a 2 or 3 monitor mount and just securely have all my monitors there.

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

Not weird. Some just love dat aural.


I've heard of Herman Miller chairs! Like they enforce good sitting posture and are rated for all-day sitting. I think they're rated by hours/day sitting or something? Aren't they $1000ish? Or maybe $300s? I haven't looked into legit ergonomic chairs yet tbh.

BUT. I've definitely been keeping notes on fancy standing desks! And treadmill desks and other weird stuff. Here's what I wrote in my notes based on random thoughts but I dunno what to get yet:

Desk:​

• UpDesk or VertDesk?
• Autonomous: Smart Office with Standing Desks, Ergonomic Chairs by Autonomous
• iMovR: iMovR Lander Desks made in USA / iMovR Treadmill Desks, Standing Desks, Sit-Stand Converters, and Office Fitness Furniture

I have a Made in USA fetish, so I tend to splurge on that. I dunno.

I havent looked that much into standing desks or things like that. I kinda want to stick to something a bit more traditional for now, but the convertible ones do look super cool!

Yeah, the chairs retail for like $1000. it's absurd. the used place in Portland has them for 1/2 the price, or less. definitely still a large investment. but after using a $40 chair for a year, I have come to realize I need something much more ergo. Also, I believe they are made in the US, but I could be mistaken

Herman Miller’s Commitment to US Manufacturing Produces Three American-Made Accolades

www.hermanmiller.com

Edit: I'm actually monitor shopping right now. I've been using my 20" Samsung from 2006 and I need to get something bigger, clearer, better. I think some kind of 27" - 32" at 1440p resolution. With good other specs like color and refresh rate and built-in blue reduction for eyestrain. I think if the resolution is too high (like a 4k monitor) or the screen size is too small, people tend to lean forward (forward neck posture) and that royally leads to neck problems and repetitive stress injury. So I'm going HUGE this time but 1440p is a happy medium.

As long as the monitor has a detachable stand, you can buy whatever VESA monitor stand you want and just screw it on. Like, there's fancy VESA stands for 2, 3, 4, 10 monitors.

Here's a picture since it's easier to explain:

So I'm thinking if I get a fancy standing desk convertible thing, I'll get a 2 or 3 monitor mount and just securely have all my monitors there.

I think I only need 1 monitor, but I have def been looking at those stands! after the monitors and stands in the gross anatomy lab, I have wanted a monitor I could move this way and that for a while.
Looking down at my laptop, or slumping down to try to be at eye level has also been a killer for my neck and back. basically, I have just come to realize I need a new approach, with the exception of the desk itself, lol

 

[SkiOtter]

No we were talking about it just me and the vet while in the back since it seemed like the owner was having a weird premonition about his dog’s impending doom.

Then why is it relevant?
Also, I feel like it shouldn’t be super common to get the wrong blood type? If it’s an emergency situation they’d just toss some O neg because your body shouldn’t attack that like if you gave A to a B person.

 

[killerleaf]

*invents noise-cancelling speakers built into one's bed that use destructive interference to listen to snoring and generates the inverse sound waves to cancel out snores in real-time*
*gets ****ing rich af*

its called a cpap. LOL....my hubby has been on cpap for 20odd years. I loved it; it reduced his snoring, and he doesn't quit breathing at night...but also, it was great white noise. now, his new machine is quiet, so I am back to earplugs.

 

[ajs513]

Then why is it relevant?
Also, I feel like it shouldn’t be super common to get the wrong blood type? If it’s an emergency situation they’d just toss some O neg because your body shouldn’t attack that like if you gave A to a B person.

It was relevant because he just had this strange sense of this dog’s impending doom, similar to how a human who gets the wrong blood transfusion has a sense of impending doom. It was mostly a joke, but also a fun fact.
And yea it’s definitely not common but it’s happened at some point.

 

[vetmedhead]

I wonder how common it is for people to react to other antigens in the blood aside from the primary ones that we used to assign blood type, similar to the dal antigen in dogs

 

[Melchizedek]

I wonder how common it is for people to react to other antigens in the blood aside from the primary ones that we used to assign blood type, similar to the dal antigen in dogs

it varies from person to person, and their genetics. For example, I myself would run a low grade fever after each of my transfusions (technically an immune response, but wasn't clinically significant enough to discontinue transfusion compared to how much I needed them). This response happened whether it was an O- tfx or an O+ (my blood type).
Typically before the blood is even ordered they'll crossmatch with samples from different blood bags in the bank to make sure there's no significant reaction (hemolysis) so that they can catch that before the bag is even hung. In an emergency/MTE the first bag is usually O- and then they'll crossmatch the following bags more specifically.

In RARE (like .0004% and usually in people from in and around the Indian subcontinent) there is a patient with a "Bombay Blood Type" that has no H antigen. These people are screwed and can't get tfx unless its from another person from the BBT.

Now if you want to talk about TACO and TRALI, I'll share my senior year thesis/capstone project with you XD

 

[that redhead]

it varies from person to person, and their genetics. For example, I myself would run a low grade fever after each of my transfusions (technically an immune response, but wasn't clinically significant enough to discontinue transfusion compared to how much I needed them). This response happened whether it was an O- tfx or an O+ (my blood type).
Typically before the blood is even ordered they'll crossmatch with samples from different blood bags in the bank to make sure there's no significant reaction (hemolysis) so that they can catch that before the bag is even hung. In an emergency/MTE the first bag is usually O- and then they'll crossmatch the following bags more specifically.

In RARE (like .0004% and usually in people from in and around the Indian subcontinent) there is a patient with a "Bombay Blood Type" that has no H antigen. These people are screwed and can't get tfx unless its from another person from the BBT.

Now if you want to talk about TACO and TRALI, I'll share my senior year thesis/capstone project with you XD

Yes, I would like to learn more about tacos please 🙂

 

[Melchizedek]

Yes, I would like to learn more about tacos please 🙂

 

[ajs513]

Yes, I would like to learn more about tacos please 🙂

It sounds like there’s an entire taco trolley! So plenty of tacos to go around.

 

[that redhead]

Oh there’s no mistaking tacos!

But for real, I would be interested in the more in-depth stuff that you’d care to share.

 

[Squeaksmom]

Who do I contact to get a refund on this body?? I'm such a lemon!

Apparently I get to spend 24h in November wearing a nasogastric probe as an outpatient. This has no potential to be awkward at all.... And they tell me I'll have the recorder in a belt pouch. Sleeping should be... interesting! <sigh>

 

[sheltermed]

it was suggested he do “exercises” to strengthen his oropharyngeal muscles

this is like throat kegels

 

[Minnerbelle]

Who do I contact to get a refund on this body?? I'm such a lemon!

Apparently I get to spend 24h in November wearing a nasogastric probe as an outpatient. This has no potential to be awkward at all.... And they tell me I'll have the recorder in a belt pouch. Sleeping should be... interesting! <sigh>

Hey at least you didn’t need to pay $5k out of pocket for said stupid study! I went through that but as an inpatient. They totally gave me a bloody nose when they put it in. I just remember this plastic scratching my throat every time I swallowed. Not sure how it would be to eat around that. Even with it and electrodes on my scalp, arms, and legs, my sleep latency was super short. Somehow they diagnosed me with delayed sleep phase disorder and mild sleep apnea due to some hypopnic episodes.

14 years later, hubby kept bugging me about my sleep patterns and snoring, so I told him about my prior sleep test (I had 2 sets of sleep studies done at 2 hospitals). He’s a sleep scientist and freaked out when I showed him my results because what stood out to him was that I had 0% deep sleep. Got all pissy about why a sleep specialist would miss that even 14 years ago (study was done at Stanford which is a well respected sleep institution esp on the research front). Insisted I get a second opinion. So I did. And the doctor was like “I dunno what about this previous study says you have sleep apnea. You don’t. Maybe you could have a tidge of it now cause you’ve gotten fat over the past 14 years, but I doubt it. You have disordered sleep, no question. Call it idiopathic hypersomnia or narcolepsy, it doesn’t really matter. I bet if I did 5 sleep studies on you, you’ll fit the diagnostic criteria for narcolepsy 2 out of the 5 times.” So he had me do a home sleep test just to rule out sleep apnea, which I don’t have. Discussed meds, and I told him I’ve learned to work around my sleep schedule to be a productive member of society without issues, so I’d rather not take any uppers consistently (unless it was something that I can take situationally in instances where I needed to drive and I’m sleepy), unless there was a drug that actually increased my quality of sleep rather than just kept me stimulated. The only drug that does that is GHB, and as hubs and I are trying to start a family at this time, and no one knows its effect on pregnancy or nursing, we decided against it. Also, doc was like... yeah you would sleep so deeply I wouldn’t recommend it when you have infants/young children either as I’m not sure you’ll wake up when they need you.

Oh and as for the snoring. We got an electronic bed frame, and I don’t snore as long as I sleep a little tilted up. The zero-g setting is bomb!

 

[Squeaksmom]

Hey at least you didn’t need to pay $5k out of pocket for said stupid study! I went through that but as an inpatient. They totally gave me a bloody nose when they put it in. I just remember this plastic scratching my throat every time I swallowed. Not sure how it would be to eat around that. Even with it and electrodes on my scalp, arms, and legs, my sleep latency was super short. Somehow they diagnosed me with delayed sleep phase disorder and mild sleep apnea due to some hypopnic episodes.

14 years later, hubby kept bugging me about my sleep patterns and snoring, so I told him about my prior sleep test (I had 2 sets of sleep studies done at 2 hospitals). He’s a sleep scientist and freaked out when I showed him my results because what stood out to him was that I had 0% deep sleep. Got all pissy about why a sleep specialist would miss that even 14 years ago (study was done at Stanford which is a well respected sleep institution esp on the research front). Insisted I get a second opinion. So I did. And the doctor was like “I dunno what about this previous study says you have sleep apnea. You don’t. Maybe you could have a tidge of it now cause you’ve gotten fat over the past 14 years, but I doubt it. You have disordered sleep, no question. Call it idiopathic hypersomnia or narcolepsy, it doesn’t really matter. I bet if I did 5 sleep studies on you, you’ll fit the diagnostic criteria for narcolepsy 2 out of the 5 times.” So he had me do a home sleep test just to rule out sleep apnea, which I don’t have. Discussed meds, and I told him I’ve learned to work around my sleep schedule to be a productive member of society without issues, so I’d rather not take any uppers consistently (unless it was something that I can take situationally in instances where I needed to drive and I’m sleepy), unless there was a drug that actually increased my quality of sleep rather than just kept me stimulated. The only drug that does that is GHB, and as hubs and I are trying to start a family at this time, and no one knows its effect on pregnancy or nursing, we decided against it. Also, doc was like... yeah you would sleep so deeply I wouldn’t recommend it when you have infants/young children either as I’m not sure you’ll wake up when they need you.

Oh and as for the snoring. We got an electronic bed frame, and I don’t snore as long as I sleep a little tilted up. The zero-g setting is bomb!

Mine is for esophageal manometry and pH impedance, but I don't expect it to suck any less! Though you're right... at least it'll be covered.

 

[Stroganoff]

He’s a sleep scientist and freaked out when I showed him my results because what stood out to him was that I had 0% deep sleep.

What's the secret to getting your raw data? All I've ever gotten was a 1-2 page summary. I'd kill to get the raw PSG data for my own analysis. The 2nd PSG I didn't even get real results, only something labeled "draft."

Also, I wonder if your 0% deep sleep would help explain the...

idiopathic hypersomnia or narcolepsy, it doesn’t really matter.

...idiopathic hypersomnia. In other words, lol, idiopathic my butt. No deep sleep = you're still going to be constantly tired as ****.

Re: narcolepsy, my last PSG also had the daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) with 5 20-minute naps every hour that morning. They were able to r/o narcolepsy that way. They also found I fell asleep 5 out of 5 naps, but IMHO I was awake for the first 4 since I remember my thoughts the entire time, so maybe they count Stage 1 sleep as falling asleep, which is kinda dumb.

I'm curious if I'm lacking deep sleep as well. I swear that that's the phase that relaxes muscles, and it's only maybe once a year that I wake up in the middle of the night with all neck and shoulder muscles relaxed (as opposed to hard as a rock in spasm), and it's pure heaven to give them a break to repair themselves.

Oh and as for the snoring. We got an electronic bed frame, and I don’t snore as long as I sleep a little tilted up. The zero-g setting is bomb!

I forgot about adjustable beds! @ziggyandjazzy this is a legit recommendation to sleep tilted up a bit (assuming your partner isn't on his tummy lol). There's split king bed frames and mattresses so both people can do their own thing.

I'm totally getting an adjustable bed for my next one. Maybe a fancy TempurPedic or something (but lol, $20k oof). Or see if Casper and Purple are worth the marketing hype.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Hey at least you didn’t need to pay $5k out of pocket for said stupid study! I went through that but as an inpatient. They totally gave me a bloody nose when they put it in. I just remember this plastic scratching my throat every time I swallowed. Not sure how it would be to eat around that. Even with it and electrodes on my scalp, arms, and legs, my sleep latency was super short. Somehow they diagnosed me with delayed sleep phase disorder and mild sleep apnea due to some hypopnic episodes.

14 years later, hubby kept bugging me about my sleep patterns and snoring, so I told him about my prior sleep test (I had 2 sets of sleep studies done at 2 hospitals). He’s a sleep scientist and freaked out when I showed him my results because what stood out to him was that I had 0% deep sleep. Got all pissy about why a sleep specialist would miss that even 14 years ago (study was done at Stanford which is a well respected sleep institution esp on the research front). Insisted I get a second opinion. So I did. And the doctor was like “I dunno what about this previous study says you have sleep apnea. You don’t. Maybe you could have a tidge of it now cause you’ve gotten fat over the past 14 years, but I doubt it. You have disordered sleep, no question. Call it idiopathic hypersomnia or narcolepsy, it doesn’t really matter. I bet if I did 5 sleep studies on you, you’ll fit the diagnostic criteria for narcolepsy 2 out of the 5 times.” So he had me do a home sleep test just to rule out sleep apnea, which I don’t have. Discussed meds, and I told him I’ve learned to work around my sleep schedule to be a productive member of society without issues, so I’d rather not take any uppers consistently (unless it was something that I can take situationally in instances where I needed to drive and I’m sleepy), unless there was a drug that actually increased my quality of sleep rather than just kept me stimulated. The only drug that does that is GHB, and as hubs and I are trying to start a family at this time, and no one knows its effect on pregnancy or nursing, we decided against it. Also, doc was like... yeah you would sleep so deeply I wouldn’t recommend it when you have infants/young children either as I’m not sure you’ll wake up when they need you.

What's the secret to getting your raw data? All I've ever gotten was a 1-2 page summary. I'd kill to get the raw PSG data for my own analysis. The 2nd PSG I didn't even get real results, only something labeled "draft."

Also, I wonder if your 0% deep sleep would help explain the...

...idiopathic hypersomnia. In other words, lol, idiopathic my butt. No deep sleep = you're still going to be constantly tired as ****.

Re: narcolepsy, my last PSG also had the daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) with 5 20-minute naps every hour that morning. They were able to r/o narcolepsy that way. They also found I fell asleep 5 out of 5 naps, but IMHO I was awake for the first 4 since I remember my thoughts the entire time, so maybe they count Stage 1 sleep as falling asleep, which is kinda dumb.

I'm curious if I'm lacking deep sleep as well. I swear that that's the phase that relaxes muscles, and it's only maybe once a year that I wake up in the middle of the night with all neck and shoulder muscles relaxed (as opposed to hard as a rock in spasm), and it's pure heaven to give them a break to repair themselves.


I forgot about adjustable beds! @ziggyandjazzy this is a legit recommendation to sleep tilted up a bit (assuming your partner isn't on his tummy lol). There's split king bed frames and mattresses so both people can do their own thing.

I'm totally getting an adjustable bed for my next one. Maybe a fancy TempurPedic or something (but lol, $20k oof). Or see if Casper and Purple are worth the marketing hype.

I asked for my full records when I left California, and I’ve had it since. Forgot about it honestly until hubby asked for it.

I’m someone who can always fall asleep under any circumstances with a latency of 7 min or less (that’s long for me) no matter how much I’ve slept. I can easily sleep 14 hrs per day consistently as a baseline, and if I’m sleep deprived can sleep >20hrs straight other than for bathroom breaks. I think my first nap for the MSLT had a latency 0 min. I went into REM once, and the diagnostic criteria is twice, which is why the second opinion thinks if I were to repeat it again multiple times, I would likely be diagnosed esp given the no deep sleep component. But either way, it doesn’t really matter because the treatment wouldn’t be different, and I’m not interested anyway.

And yup, we def got the king size that is split into two, so hubby and I can have different settings. We went with latex mattresses, after trying a few memory foam, and they’re super comfortable

 

[Minnerbelle]

Mine is for esophageal manometry and pH impedance, but I don't expect it to suck any less! Though you're right... at least it'll be covered.

Oh that sucks! That sounds super uncomfortable whatever you must be going through.

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

What's the secret to getting your raw data? All I've ever gotten was a 1-2 page summary. I'd kill to get the raw PSG data for my own analysis. The 2nd PSG I didn't even get real results, only something labeled "draft."

Also, I wonder if your 0% deep sleep would help explain the...

...idiopathic hypersomnia. In other words, lol, idiopathic my butt. No deep sleep = you're still going to be constantly tired as ****.

Re: narcolepsy, my last PSG also had the daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) with 5 20-minute naps every hour that morning. They were able to r/o narcolepsy that way. They also found I fell asleep 5 out of 5 naps, but IMHO I was awake for the first 4 since I remember my thoughts the entire time, so maybe they count Stage 1 sleep as falling asleep, which is kinda dumb.

I'm curious if I'm lacking deep sleep as well. I swear that that's the phase that relaxes muscles, and it's only maybe once a year that I wake up in the middle of the night with all neck and shoulder muscles relaxed (as opposed to hard as a rock in spasm), and it's pure heaven to give them a break to repair themselves.


I forgot about adjustable beds! @ziggyandjazzy this is a legit recommendation to sleep tilted up a bit (assuming your partner isn't on his tummy lol). There's split king bed frames and mattresses so both people can do their own thing.

I'm totally getting an adjustable bed for my next one. Maybe a fancy TempurPedic or something (but lol, $20k oof). Or see if Casper and Purple are worth the marketing hype.

I don't have that kind of money, lol. And I there isn't is enough room in our current bedroom for a king bed and the dog bed to fit

 

[Stroganoff]

I don't have that kind of money, lol. And I there isn't is enough room in our current bedroom for a king bed and the dog bed to fit

Looks like you're already sleeping on a free TempurPedic, so HMMPH. 🙄

 

[ParkCityDVM]

Hi everyone! I am a returning member who used this site obsessively before and during vet school. I have a rant/ question. One of my techs says that she was accepted into a "pilot program" at UF where she took veterinary school classes OFF campus. She then said that she moved to Utah and they are letting her transfer her credits. She says she only needs a few credits and as she is not currently taking classes they will let her start back up whenever she wants. Has been out of school for at least 2 years. She is waiting for her husband to get a degree in something unrelated. This all seems like utter BS and I haven't found any information about it online. Just thought I'd ask here to see if there is any validity in it. I'm writing a letter of recommendation for another girl and she is very confused by this girl's comments.

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

Looks like you're already sleeping on a free TempurPedic, so HMMPH. 🙄

yeah... I got pretty lucky with that 😛

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Hi everyone! I am a returning member who used this site obsessively before and during vet school. I have a rant/ question. One of my techs says that she was accepted into a "pilot program" at UF where she took veterinary school classes OFF campus. She then said that she moved to Utah and they are letting her transfer her credits. She says she only needs a few credits and as she is not currently taking classes they will let her start back up whenever she wants. Has been out of school for at least 2 years. She is waiting for her husband to get a degree in something unrelated. This all seems like utter BS and I haven't found any information about it online. Just thought I'd ask here to see if there is any validity in it. I'm writing a letter of recommendation for another girl and she is very confused by this girl's comments.

Hey I'm a WSU student&ambassador so I'm pretty current on our program and they oversee the vet program at USU. Are you sure it's not something like undergrad or even regular grad classes? Maybe shes taking classes titled veterinary sciences for that school? I mean because I took immunology which is a vet school class but during undergrad-of course had to retake it in vet school as part of the program. None of what you're describing is along the lines of our veterinary program.

 

[ajs513]

I’ve been helping my mom move since yesterday from a small trinity house in philly to a slightly less small house a couple miles away (so not a ton of stuff). I figured things wouldn’t be that bad since when my girlfriend and I moved everything was packed up and ready so it took one trip. Well my mom has packed almost nothing and it’s all just been a giant fuster cluck. It’s taken probably 6 trips and over 24 hours and we’re maybe halfway done. This is going to be the death of me.

 

[SkiOtter]

Hi everyone! I am a returning member who used this site obsessively before and during vet school. I have a rant/ question. One of my techs says that she was accepted into a "pilot program" at UF where she took veterinary school classes OFF campus. She then said that she moved to Utah and they are letting her transfer her credits. She says she only needs a few credits and as she is not currently taking classes they will let her start back up whenever she wants. Has been out of school for at least 2 years. She is waiting for her husband to get a degree in something unrelated. This all seems like utter BS and I haven't found any information about it online. Just thought I'd ask here to see if there is any validity in it. I'm writing a letter of recommendation for another girl and she is very confused by this girl's comments.

Idk of any vet school that’ll just let you take two years (and more) off and start whenever you want

We sure she’s not in a tech program or some other kind of vet related program that’s NOT vet school?????

 

[supershorty]

Hi everyone! I am a returning member who used this site obsessively before and during vet school. I have a rant/ question. One of my techs says that she was accepted into a "pilot program" at UF where she took veterinary school classes OFF campus. She then said that she moved to Utah and they are letting her transfer her credits. She says she only needs a few credits and as she is not currently taking classes they will let her start back up whenever she wants. Has been out of school for at least 2 years. She is waiting for her husband to get a degree in something unrelated. This all seems like utter BS and I haven't found any information about it online. Just thought I'd ask here to see if there is any validity in it. I'm writing a letter of recommendation for another girl and she is very confused by this girl's comments.

Sounds very suspect.

 

[JaynaAli]

Maybe it's the shelter med graduate degree or something that like that at UF? It's only been around a few years but it's offered online and technically it's run by the shelter vets at the vet school there. But if that's what she's doing, it sounds like she's misrepresenting what it is at best.

 

[Skimble]

I hope your vet is right too. These ADR pets with normal bloodwork and unremarkable PE where the owner is truly concerned makes me really worried. Either they are fine, or they have cancer or a slow pericardial effusion or something bad and it becomes apparent fairly soon. I don’t ever dismiss these as “o is crazy.” I usually phrase it as, I can’t find a reason to say that your pet is currently doomed, but you know your pet best so I wonder if this is the beginning of something i just can’t find overt signs of yet. Let’s take this one day at a time. If pet is normal or better and better to you over the next week great. If he continues to not be quite right, we can do further work up. Here’s a copy of your records just in case your pet deteriorates while we are closed.

I just had this happen recently. O's came in with their super hyper lab saying he just wasn't himself. He had JUST been in for a wellness exam a few days prior and BW was perfect. Originally my plan was to send home with pain meds and see how he does, if he didn't improve, then we would pursue imaging. After talking for a bit, they admit he's an anxious dog, and some of what they were seeing at home, could be anxiety, so we agreed try gaba to cover pain and anxiety (dog also has a history of seizures and a bad reaction to carprofen. A week later, he's still not better, another vet at the practice sees him, does abd rads, and there is a huge irregular splenic mass. We referred him out and they found the mass was slowly trickling blood into his abd, and they took him to surgery yesterday I think. I'm glad I didn't blow it off, but I don't think I would have handled the first appointment any differently. Most people don't want to jump to imaging when signs are so vague and mild.

 

[ajs513]

I just had this happen recently. O's came in with their super hyper lab saying he just wasn't himself. He had JUST been in for a wellness exam a few days prior and BW was perfect. Originally my plan was to send home with pain meds and see how he does, if he didn't improve, then we would pursue imaging. After talking for a bit, they admit he's an anxious dog, and some of what they were seeing at home, could be anxiety, so we agreed try gaba to cover pain and anxiety (dog also has a history of seizures and a bad reaction to carprofen. A week later, he's still not better, another vet at the practice sees him, does abd rads, and there is a huge irregular splenic mass. We referred him out and they found the mass was slowly trickling blood into his abd, and they took him to surgery yesterday I think. I'm glad I didn't blow it off, but I don't think I would have handled the first appointment any differently. Most people don't want to jump to imaging when signs are so vague and mild.

I don’t think anyone could say you did anything wrong either. If you jumped straight to rads for every patient who comes in adr, you’d get more complaints saying “the doctor pushed for unnecessary tests” than you’d get praise for finding something on a fringe case. It’s so much different than what I’ve heard happen in human medicine, where apparently nowadays they do a CT for so many things because they can often just bill insurance and it doesn’t make a difference to what the patient pays.

Also quick update for the case I mentioned. Owners elected to euthanize against the advice of the doctor. They were so convinced that the dog was suffering even though we ruled out nearly everything major (including masses and heart issues short of doing a full echo). The doctor tried explaining that it’s almost certainly just a combination of dehydration and back pain from being so overweight, which he said in nicer terms than that. They didn’t want any part of it. It’s just frustrating that pets are property and you can’t always win.

 

[Minnerbelle]

.

Hi everyone! I am a returning member who used this site obsessively before and during vet school. I have a rant/ question. One of my techs says that she was accepted into a "pilot program" at UF where she took veterinary school classes OFF campus. She then said that she moved to Utah and they are letting her transfer her credits. She says she only needs a few credits and as she is not currently taking classes they will let her start back up whenever she wants. Has been out of school for at least 2 years. She is waiting for her husband to get a degree in something unrelated. This all seems like utter BS and I haven't found any information about it online. Just thought I'd ask here to see if there is any validity in it. I'm writing a letter of recommendation for another girl and she is very confused by this girl's comments.

I mean... does it really matter whatever this girl is saying? I’d just tell the other girl not to mind anything this girl says and do her own research and apply accordingly.

 

[SkiOtter]

apparently nowadays they do a CT for so many things because they can often just bill insurance and it doesn’t make a difference to what the patient pays

Uh it makes a **** TON of a difference when your insurance pays for nothing until you reach your high deductible.
I’ve been to the ER three times in the past few years. Never once got a CT pushed on me or even suggested by ER. Broken ankle, possible broken ankle that ended up being just a very severe sprain, and back pain causing me to not be able to walk without collapsing.

 

[nyanko]

I hope your vet is right too. These ADR pets with normal bloodwork and unremarkable PE where the owner is truly concerned makes me really worried. Either they are fine, or they have cancer or a slow pericardial effusion or something bad and it becomes apparent fairly soon. I don’t ever dismiss these as “o is crazy.” I usually phrase it as, I can’t find a reason to say that your pet is currently doomed, but you know your pet best so I wonder if this is the beginning of something i just can’t find overt signs of yet. Let’s take this one day at a time. If pet is normal or better and better to you over the next week great. If he continues to not be quite right, we can do further work up. Here’s a copy of your records just in case your pet deteriorates while we are closed.

The most recent of these 'vaguely ADR' pets that I recently remember coming through had a really long medical workup (bloodwork, all sorts of endocrine testing, ultrasound, etc) and was sent home and instructed to stop taking the prednisone the owner had been prescribed for the nebulous ADR signs....then ended up in neuro because the more obvious signs (seizures, circling, etc) from the huge brain tumor were unmasked when the pred was stopped. 😳

Also can't tell you how many dogs that have severe signs of neck pain at home are perfectly normal when they come to see us until we literally crank on their necks. Huge disc extrusions.

So yeah, I take owners' concerns seriously in general.

 

[Squeaksmom]

Oh that sucks! That sounds super uncomfortable whatever you must be going through.

Thank you! It's definitely not my favourite thing ever, but I'll live....

 

[battie]

It’s just frustrating that pets are property and you can’t always win.

As devils advocate, we would lose if animals had similar rights to people as well. Just in different ways.

 

[ajs513]

As devils advocate, we would lose if animals had similar rights to people as well. Just in different ways.

Yea there’s no true way to always get the outcome you want. It’s part of life and it’s not great.

 

[that redhead]

.

I mean... does it really matter whatever this girl is saying? I’d just tell the other girl not to mind anything this girl says and do her own research and apply accordingly.

Right? Vet school admissions (and life, really, especially with social media) is so fraught with comparisons. People would be happier if they stopped trying to compare themselves to everyone else and just so their own thing.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Right? Vet school admissions (and life, really, especially with social media) is so fraught with comparisons. People would be happier if they stopped trying to compare themselves to everyone else and just so their own thing.

This is literally me. And my friends can’t understand why I’m so much less stressed than them...I just do my own thing and wish the people around me well too

 

[that redhead]

This is literally me. And my friends can’t understand why I’m so much less stressed than them...I just do my own thing and wish the people around me well too

Exactly. I deactivated my Facebook account years ago and it’s great. People only share the coolest things or best, filtered photos of themselves which is fine, but it’s not like their whole life is a picture-perfect storybook.

As for vet admissions, you never know what weaknesses another person may have on their app, or if they’re being honest about their stats or anything. Just make yourself the best YOU can be and it’ll happen or it won’t, regardless of whether or not Cindy Lou got in.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Exactly. I deactivated my Facebook account years ago and it’s great. People only share the coolest things or best, filtered photos of themselves which is fine, but it’s not like their whole life is a picture-perfect storybook.

As for vet admissions, you never know what weaknesses another person may have on their app, or if they’re being honest about their stats or anything. Just make yourself the best YOU can be and it’ll happen or it won’t, regardless of whether or not Cindy Lou got in.

I was way more high-strung when I applied lol, but still never really into the whole competition thing. Just not my game. I’ve chilled out substantially in vet school and my quality of life is so much better. But to each their own!

 

[iguessisaidthat]

Wow I don’t even know where to begin with how disappointed I feel about this even though I should be feeling proud...

I just heard back that I won a really good scholarship for this upcoming school year and I was excited to tell my parents about it. Especially since I wrote parts of my application about how hard my parents worked for me to get to where I am now and I wanted to honor their sacrifices by repaying their efforts, etc etc.

And so I went home and when I spilled the beans, my mom just chuckled and said “You only got that much? That’s nothing compared to your tuition lol” and my dad just stated “they only gave you that money because no one wants to go to your school so of course you would get it.” And I just... stammered because I was so shocked at their response. I didn’t even fight back because... why should I have to constantly defend my school and the fact that I’m proud of where I am going? That I’m proud of how ****ing hard I worked to get to where I am now? Also it didn’t help that my boyfriend was there too and we both just stared at them in silence.

Idk guys, I legit just cried in silence while they continued with their house chores and I’m just at a loss of words. Maybe I’m being horribly ungrateful and I should suck it up. Either way... I’m probably never going to tell my parents anything anymore involving my school 🙁

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Wow I don’t even know where to begin with how disappointed I feel about this even though I should be feeling proud...

I just heard back that I won a really good scholarship for this upcoming school year and I was excited to tell my parents about it. Especially since I wrote parts of my application about how hard my parents worked for me to get to where I am now and I wanted to honor their sacrifices by repaying their efforts, etc etc.

And so I went home and when I spilled the beans, my mom just chuckled and said “You only got that much? That’s nothing compared to your tuition lol” and my dad just stated “they only gave you that money because no one wants to go to your school so of course you would get it.” And I just... stammered because I was so shocked at their response. I didn’t even fight back because... why should I have to constantly defend my school and the fact that I’m proud of where I am going? That I’m proud of how ****ing hard I worked to get to where I am now? Also it didn’t help that my boyfriend was there too and we both just stared at them in silence.

Idk guys, I legit just cried in silence while they continued with their house chores and I’m just at a loss of words. Maybe I’m being horribly ungrateful and I should suck it up. Either way... I’m probably never going to tell my parents anything anymore involving my school 🙁

Hey I just wanted to tell you I am so sorry you had to go through that and my pm box is open if you ever want to talk. Getting any sort of scholarship for vet school is a feat in itself. You should be proud because every little bit helps! I've applied to countless ones and been turned down for every single one so far. Scholarships just arent really there like in undergrad and perhaps they dont realize that. Not really sure why they are hating on WSU so much-they must not realize how difficult it is to get into vet school regardless of what college it is at. I know some people have had a hard time with their parents because they're U of I or UW fans which is silly considering its literally impossible to go to vet school at either of those schools but they cant get over the silly rivalry factor. That or some people cant get over the Pullman being in rural eastern WA and not the westside. You've made a huge accomplishment and its not wrong be feel excited and proud of getting into vet school or getting a scholarship. I hope that you can build a good support system with friends/classmates/ boyfriend etc because its important to have that and I like to think WSU tries really hard to promote that and give that beginning structure to incoming first years. I know all the Cole mentors are excited to see you in a few weeks. Welcome to the WIMU family!

 

[iguessisaidthat]

Hey I just wanted to tell you I am so sorry you had to go through that and my pm box is open if you ever want to talk. Getting any sort of scholarship for vet school is a feat in itself. You should be proud because every little bit helps! I've applied to countless ones and been turned down for every single one so far. Scholarships just arent really there like in undergrad and perhaps they dont realize that. Not really sure why they are hating on WSU so much-they must not realize how difficult it is to get into vet school regardless of what college it is at. I know some people have had a hard time with their parents because they're U of I or UW fans which is silly considering its literally impossible to go to vet school at either of those schools but they cant get over the silly rivalry factor. That or some people cant get over the Pullman being in rural eastern WA and not the westside. You've made a huge accomplishment and its not wrong be feel excited and proud of getting into vet school or getting a scholarship. I hope that you can build a good support system with friends/classmates/ boyfriend etc because its important to have that and I like to think WSU tries really hard to promote that and give that beginning structure to incoming first years. I know all the Cole mentors are excited to see you in a few weeks. Welcome to the WIMU family!

Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words <3 Let’s just say I’m looking forward to a fresh start and I still strongly believe WSU/Pullman is exactly what I need right now.

 

[Skimble]

Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words <3 Let’s just say I’m looking forward to a fresh start and I still strongly believe WSU/Pullman is exactly what I need right now.

I know many people that really wanted to go to WSU and didn’t get in. Getting into vet school is a HUGE achievement. Is WSU far from your home? Maybe your parents are upset that you won’t be nearby or they were hoping you’d get into a closer school for their own selfish reasons? No matter what, you should be proud of getting into vet school and for getting a scholarship.

 

[killerleaf]

Be proud of your accomplishments! People outside of the process don't seem to get it. And there are others that don't want to get it. It all works out in the end, when you get to say "That's Dr. Iguessisaidthat to you!!"

 

[Squeaksmom]

Just back from the vet with a sick Raodi dog. My typical Lab (bouncy and a chow hound) is super lethargic, has a fever, off and on dyspnea and tachypnea, increased lung sounds, and won't even look at food. I get paid literally tonight at midnight, so today I have no money. I got 2 days of baytril for now, and she's booked for chest rads and reevaluation tomorrow. Worried dog Mom here!

 

[killerleaf]

hugs squeaks....lots and lots of hugs.

 

[PrincessButterCup]

@Squeaksmom I'm sending internet hugs your way. I hope you get good news / not worse case scenario news tomorrow. ❤️