u/Bailey201320

Looking for some encouragement! I know all of the exercises but honestly haven’t been diligent about doing them consistently, I think partly because I don’t know if they’ll really make a difference.

As I sit here recovering from another fall, I am of course re-evaluating my life and realizing I need to take my wonky ankles seriously.

So, looking to hear from anyone who has done the exercises and really noticed a difference.

Also, how do you measure progress? Fewer ankle sprains? More time standing on one foot? It’s not like regular weight training where you can measure progress by weights and reps.

I’m going to be filing some secondaries and now that I have experience with the C&P exams I have some questions.

When I filed for MST, I got the most compassionate therapist who said I had PTSD. But they initially scheduled me with a male, which surprised me, and then called to see if I would prefer a female. But when I got that letter I found out it was a video appt and so I called and asked for an in person one. And I’m so thankful I got the therapist I did.

But the doctor I saw for sleep issues was the total opposite, and afterwards I looked her up and saw she was a general practitioner. Had I known, I would have asked for a sleep doctor. What also concerned me was she was listed for doing all kinds of exams to include PTSD/MST, which would have been horrible had I been scheduled with her for that.

So while I felt I had legitimate reasons for requesting a different examiner for the MST, I’m wondering if we can request a different provider if we want someone who specializes in our issues.

Also, would they send me to that same general practice doctor I saw before who gave a negative report? I’m in a fairly large town and there should be plenty of other providers.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s done this. It’s a long day of 11 hours, but Mt Cook was one of the places I was hoping to see. I realize it’ll just be a short stop there.

Other options are a direct bus route of about 8 hrs. I was going to just fly from Christchurch to QT but I do like the idea of seeing more of the country even if it’s a long day.

And a question about the tour and FlexiPass. The tour is priced at $385 and is 11 hours, yet a 15 hour FlexiPass is $200. I didn’t see anywhere in the website that listed other expenses for this trip, so why is there such a difference in prices? The website says they deduct the hours from the pass and you pay any entrance fees. But then not all day tours can be booked with a FlexiPass and since I don’t have a pass yet and therefore don’t have an account, I don’t know if this tour is even possible to book with a FlexiPass. Does anyone know?

Will be traveling the South Island (Christchurch, Kaikoura and Queenstown). Are there unique backpacking/hiking items I could be looking at there that aren’t easily available in the US, or may be less expensive to buy there?

I have a 25 degree Zenbivy and I absolutely love the system. On my recent first backpacking trip, temps were expected to drop to 30 and so I brought my Costco down throw, which weighs about a pound. I wore fleece Cuddl Duds, hiking pants and my down jacket, and I was one of the few in our group who didn’t sleep cold.

I would like to be able to attach the throw as a liner to the Zenbivy so it doesn’t get bunched up as I toss around. I like the idea of only one main quilt and then adding or removing a throw as needed. When I bought the Zenbivy, the next lower temp quilt was about a pound heavier if I recall correctly, so I think this is a good set up. Plus, being post-menopause I like to be able to adjust the warmth.

I can’t be the first person to want to do this but I don’t want to damage either the throw and especially not my prized Zenbivy. I could attach snaps but I fear that could ruin the fabric. I also thought maybe get a pack of the hooks and loops that Zenbivy now sells.

Who has already done this and how did you do it?

We have just two weeks mid-late November and I’m realizing we should just stay on the south island. It’ll be my adult son and me using the InterCity bus and uber/taxi if needed (we don’t want to drive). I was previously in Christchurch, Akaroa, and Aukland.

He simply wants to hike and the two main things I want are the dolphin swim in Kaikoura and a Doubtful Sound day trip. We don’t like super hectic vacations so I’m trying to have some unplanned time but it sure is hard!

We plan to fly into Christchurch and fly out from Queenstown, but tickets aren’t bought yet.

I was going to bus from CHC and make two day stops along the way, at Mt Cook, Tekapo and Wanaka, then the rest of the time in Queenstown. But now I’m wondering if it may be better to fly to Queenstown. I’m thinking those other areas will have to be next time, maybe making a loop to also get the west coast highlights in.

Maybe a tandem paragliding in Queenstown.

Something like this—does it look reasonable? **I’ll update as I make changes, so it may not make sense when you read people’s comments.

Day 1: arrive CHC afternoon; hotel
2: bus to Kaikoura
3: dolphin swim
4: kayak; possibly zip lines
5: (llama trek, seal swim, stargazing)
6: bus to CHC
7: fly to ZQN
8: (hiking, paragliding, MTB???)
9:
10:
11: bus to Te Anau (7:20am-9:45am)
12: Milford Sound cruise and walk tour
13: explore/maybe glowworm caves
14: Doubtful Sound
15: bus to Queenstown
16: fly in evening

We’ll be flying into Aukland in November to stay there a few days, and then probably flying to Christchurch and bussing to Kaikoura. Next is Queenstown but I’m wondering if it’s best to bus there or fly from Christchurch. There are places I’m looking at, like Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook, but I’m wondering if those are better as day trips from Queenstown.

We really enjoy hiking and wildlife so that’s our focus.

How is the train ride from Aukland to Wellington? Looks like we’d take the ferry to Picton and then bus to Kaikoura? We’d love to see more of the country but logistically it seems flying is much more simple and about the same cost.

Other ideas? I’ve been to Christchurch and Aukland so I am a bit familiar with your beautiful country. We only have two weeks so it’s of course not enough time to see and do everything!

I was rated 10% for a foot problem when I got out in the 90’s. Recently got an increase for PTSD.

For the past 15 yrs or so I’ve been going to PT (TRICARE) for hip, knee and lower back issues, and my PT thinks at least some of that is from the foot injury. I’ve had X-rays at the VA which found some arthritis in those areas, and from what I’ve read, it can be caused by the foot injury.

My big concern is in 1999 the VA made me orthotics. I wore them for several years and then realized I had less pain without them, so I quit wearing them. No one ever asked me about them. I’ve not seen anyone at the VA regarding my foot issues other than recently bringing up to a PT there that I have some new toe pain that she agreed was likely from the original injury. She asked about orthotics and I told her the story, but now I wonder if anyone looks into this could I be blamed for not wearing them and potentially causing these other issues? In the medical notes she simply said prior orthotic use not helpful.

What next? I know how to file a claim, but do I ask the PT I’ve been seeing for years to write a nexus letter, or a PT I’ve seen once for something unrelated, but who’s a veteran? Neither? Both?

I’m seeing the VA chiropractor next week. If he believes there’s a connection, would him writing it in the notes be enough for me to file, and then let them decide whether I need a C&P? Would I still try to get a nexus letter?

Anyone use a continuous glucose monitor? I’m not diabetic but we have some extra and I thought it’d be interesting to see what happens as I start ADF (if you see my other posts, I’ve been planning to start fir a while but I think now is the time).

If you use one, is there anything I should be aware of? What info has it given you in regards to ADF, whether you do a water fast or 500 kcal fast?

I finally found some fresh yeast and am looking for recipes and suggestions for how to use it!

I first heard about ADF through Krista Varaday, and am interested in the 500 kcal on fasting days. I exercise (biking, hiking, lifting weights) most days and I know if I only have water on fast days it’ll affect how I feel when I workout.

I’ve done short water fasts and occasional juice fasts (longest juice fast was 7 days).

I thought juicing on my fast days, which would be around 5 cups, sounds like a good plan. I like to juice carrots with apple, ginger and turmeric.

I’d like to hear from anyone who has actually done this, rather than hear why you don’t think it’s a good idea (ie, too much sugar, etc).

My PCP’s nurse said I’d need to be referred by their PT or chiropractor if I wanted community care for massage therapy, but they would have to determine that I needed it. Same for me wanting to see a DO for OMM, which our VA doesn’t offer (I don’t understand how they can have a chiropractor there and not a DO🤷‍♀️). I’m not trying to get both services but am hoping to get community care for someone who can help so I stop paying out of pocket.

I have very little contact with my PCP and it’s frustrating that they seem to want to deny me with this request. I’ve tried their chiropractor and PT’s and they do not do the technique (myofascial release) that others providers have success with.

I’ve heard you can get referrals if you’re in Whole Health, which I am not very familiar with.

Who’s gotten referrals for massage or OMM and what was the process ? Did VA staff make it difficult for you?

Received what looks like a credit card with my name on it. I never requested it and plan to cut it up since we have no need for another card.
Do they send these out hoping people will activate them?

Rather disappointed with this at only 93K miles. 2.5 engine. We bought the car new and take good care of it. Had both rear wheel bearings replaced today ($1500) and they said the head gaskets are leaking and need replacing (about $4000 to do both sides—a local place wanted even more than the dealer).

Other than these issues it’s been a great car but I fear it’s going to become a money pit now. It’s my third Subaru and I never had these issues before even though we had many more miles on those cars.

Are the gaskets likely to need replacing again before 200K miles? What other things are likely to need replacing soon?

CarMax offered us $8400 for trade in which of course is tempting. But I dislike getting new cars and am hoping if we put the $4000 into this one that it’ll be good for several more years. Anyone been in this situation, and what did you decide?

With previous cars we get to this place of “do we put a thousand dollars into it every year or trade it in?” but that’s not until we’re over 200K miles. Feels way too early to be considering trading it in.

I am mostly satisfied with the care I receive at the VA (eye clinic and ER are wonderful), but I’m wondering why there are no listings of the providers. Every hospital and clinic have pictures and info on their providers, and with this not available at the VA, it adds to the feeling that “knowledge is power” and they don’t want us to have that. In my experience there isn’t a huge turnover rate so I don’t believe that’s the reason they can’t create and maintain this on their website.

Our VA eye clinic is awesome—there is actually a direct phone number, and when I had cataract surgery (prior to this, I was never going to let the VA do anything invasive on me), they gave me the info sheet for the surgeon so I could see when and where he went to medical school, google his name, etc. It just added to the confidence I’d already felt after meeting him, like they weren’t trying to hide anything. When I called his nurse with a question, the doctor himself called me back. It’s like our eye clinic is its own little island of transparency and efficiency.

But the other clinics at our VA are different. For primary care there are colored teams but no explanation of what that even means. I suppose it is a doctor and some PA’s and nurses that all work together, and someone decided to call them teams. But again, no where is there a listing of who the doctors and PA’s are.

I know there are jokes about no direct phone numbers, but really, what is the reason? Do they not believe we’re capable of calling the correct place? It’s possibly not so bad now because of online messaging, but it still feels so archaic compared to civilian places.

I’m more comfortable using the VA now than 25 years ago, but parts of it still feel like a mystery. Civilian clinics all have photos of their providers on the walls, like they’re proud of them, and not having that at the VA makes it feel very different.

Even the Vet Center has no listings of their therapists. The one I was set up with was not a good match for me and I do not want to go back and get another random one. Especially with therapy, I think it’s important to be able to read up about someone before meeting face to face. When I stepped into the Vet Center it was the same feeling I have at the VA: “Who are you and why don’t you want me to know who works here?”

I love my VA benefits and I’m not criticizing the care—these are just differences I’ve noticed between the VA and civilian clinics and I haven’t seen it discussed.