u/ConfidentHope

I recently learned that what side you are lying on can affect how fast a pill can process in your body.

I know a lot of us take stimulants before we’re fully awake, or we go back to sleep until the meds kick in. I do, and could never figure out why sometimes it felt very quick, and other times it was close to two hours before I’d really feel anything.

It turn out you can speed up absorption depending on what side you’re lying on in bed.

Since learning about this, I’ve gone back to sleep after taking my stimulant and intentionally turned onto my right side. I’m not kidding when I say in 10-15 minutes I can start to feel the effects, and I’ve been waking up earlier ever since I found out. It almost seems miraculous, but it’s science!

TL;DR; if you take a pill then lie on your right side, the meds will process in as early as 10 minutes. Alternately, if you move onto your left side after taking a pill, it can take over 100 minutes to begin working.

For anyone curious, I think being on your back or upright is around 20-30 minutes.

I’m a very late bloomer, and only started having intercourse in my mid-thirties. I’ve been private about this (although my boyfriend knows), so I don’t have anyone in my life to ask questions about it. I don’t know if what I experience is common, or if there’s something I could be doing different.

To put it plainly, I struggle some with intercourse. I can experience orgasm other ways, but not this way. For me, it feels pleasant in some ways, but a lot of it feels like his body ramming into mine. Not painful, but not comfortable. I think he thinks I’m making sounds of enjoyment, but I’m often literally grunting in discomfort.

I feel so embarrassed by this, because I feel like I should know better at my age. I like feeling close to him, but I wonder if intercourse is something a lot of women “put up with” or if there’s something I could be doing to adjust. I feel okay when I’m in control (on top), but the thrusting part makes me feel like I’m on a bumpy rollercoaster, and also I’m getting my cervix slammed over and over.

My boyfriend is very attentive and loving, but he does sometimes joke about not being very good in bed. I have nothing to compare this to, so I’m not sure what is typical.

I’d love to get to a more neutral place with it. I’m not even expecting a lot of pleasure from it. God, this sounds bleak. My post got blocked from another sub and the mod said it sounded like bad sex. If it is, I want to know what I should be asking for.

ETA: while we’re here, I’m also not into digital penetration. I recently asked my boyfriend to stop because it wasn’t feeling good, and he thought I meant stop everything. That was frustrating. I’m not sure how to explain that it doesn’t feel great to simply have something going in and out.

I have been diagnosed with IH, although my new sleep specialist suspects N. I have also had chronic migraine for five years. It’s pretty severe, to the point that I’m on Botox and an IV infusion medication (Vyepti), along with several rescue medications.

I tend to get strong sleep inertia, and I have often thought that my head hurts along with this. However, I’m starting to wonder if in the mornings where my head is aching especially if it’s actually a migraine attack along with inertia. It may sound confusing that I can’t immediately tell, but with all my treatments it can dampen the intensity and not be debilitating (although it still sucks).

I’d describe the headaches as a low ache, partially behind my eyes. The only time I feel relief is when I close my eyes and can feel myself shift into an early phase of sleep (conscious but distant). I feel sluggish and disoriented. It’s hard to think and everything in me is begging to go back to sleep.

Does anyone else get this? Or am I likely misjudging what’s happening and I’m actually waking up with a migraine? Does your sleep inertia cause headaches?

Even as I’m writing this out I’m realizing it’s probably a migraine. I’m sensitive to the light, my stomach feels gross (likely a sign of nausea), and between the pain and everything else I feel out of it. Damn. I hate that I have multiple health concerns that blur together sometimes.

I (38F/USA) have been in a huge reading dry spell for the last three years. Preceding this, I read over 80 books in the year, primarily focused on romantasy (my favorite genre). I have auDHD and I think I burned myself out on that genre, along with other imaginative books with consistent tropes and endings. However, I love escaping into an interesting concept or world.

I’ve slowly been getting back into reading, and I’m noticing the books I’ve finished have a surprising element to them, and/or they aren’t typical for their genres. That’s a simplification, but it’s what seems to keep me from putting the book down to finish “later.”

Here are books I’ve been able to finish:

- Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman - I think this was a generally new genre for me if we consider this LitRPG. I liked the humor, and didn’t know exactly what to expect from it. I tried to read the second in the series, but hit a wall. I want to continue it, but it’s on pause for a minute.

- Ten Thousand Stitches by Olivia Atwater - I read this in one sitting. “Regency faerie tales” is such a lighthearted concept. I really enjoyed the easy feeling of this book. I may be able to continue the related books.

- Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan - This book kept me on my toes and left me wondering how it would end. It made me uneasy to not know where the story was going at times, but that was also exciting. The second book is available for when I “cool down” from this one.

I’m looking for something that will shake up my expectations and leave me guessing. I’m definitely willing to break out of the fantasy/sci-fi genres if it’s an interesting concept! I even like non-fiction if it’s a good read.

I’m good with spice as long as it isn’t playing around with non-consent.

I’m in my late 30s and I’m trying to find my current style. I’m midsize and have a large chest, so it can be difficult to shop.

I’ve been finding myself gravitating towards a witchy/slightly fantasy/lightly whimsigoth aesthetic. I feel a little like an imposter because I haven’t tried this before, and my boyfriend is concerned I’m doing it for him for some reason — we’ve been together two years and he has a lot of tattoos, so I think he’s concerned I’m trying to become more alternative “for” him. But I actually feel cute and sexy for once in what I’ve gotten so far.

I think I just need to own this look. I finally got my hair done with bleached money pieces (the rest of my hair is dark), something I’ve wanted to do for at least 15 years. Maybe this is like all imposter syndrome experiences, where even if it feels uncomfortable you just need to push through and trust yourself.

Does anyone have any encouragement or advice? I suppose I feel like I’m appropriating a culture or something, but that’s silly. I realize this is a first-world problem, but I was raised in purity culture and even now I still hesitate to appear too sexy or flashy. I hate that.

I’ve gotten some clothes at Midnight Hour that I like a lot. I tried Disturbia and the clothes felt cheap and didn’t fit right.

I was organizing my playlists when I came across one I started when my dad died. We had a strained relationship, and it’s cathartic to listen to songs that express frustration about an absent father. I never got around to finishing it because it was to fresh at the time, but this year marks 5 years. Still stings, but not as acutely.

The two songs I have on there that fit best are:

- Phoebe Bridgers — Kyoto — “I don’t forgive you, but please don’t hold me to it”
- Kenzie — Anatomy — “it’s just anatomy, hate that you’re half of me”

Looking for other songs along those lines. I have some angst I need to work through.

Does anyone else struggle with reheated chicken? I was eating leftovers cold, started gagging, and my partner asked why I didn’t heat it up. I explained that specifically microwaved heated chicken takes on a weird “birdy” flavor that is worse than eating chicken cold (but obviously — because of the gagging — it’s still not ideal).

He thinks I’m crazy. However, I know my mom is the same way. I think this is an actual thing.

I think most reheated meat tastes worse. Chicken is not edible to me though, whereas pork or beef are just less appealing.

I don’t think of myself as a picky person until I find myself explaining something like this to someone. I like a wide range of flavors, but I’m very sensitive to textures.

I’ve been on a stimulant for about 3 years now, and I actually love the way it feels to sleep on them. Sleep inertia is one of my worst symptoms, so if I take a stimulant and go back to sleep, I find I can wake up “naturally.”

It’s the same when I have to nap. I feel like I can sleep for a truly short period of time, and I don’t get “stuck” in a sleep loop.

Does anyone else experience this? It sometimes makes me wonder if I’m not on a high enough dose, but I deep down suspect that it helps, but isn’t going to ever be a magic fix.

It’s just so nice to not have to fight myself to wake up. The stimulant was on back order for three weeks and I’m still struggling to get back into a schedule. The trick only works if I can rouse myself enough to actually take it an hour or two before I get up.

I was watching some recipe videos and it hit me that I have hated using gf panko because the kind I use is more like big round crumbs versus the soft flakes that regular panko has.

Has anyone found a good panko substitute? I’ve been using 4C Crumbs. It ends up falling off everything I put it on.

I was watching him on Ask Hank Anything, and he says near the end of episode that he has been diagnosed with narcolepsy. He downplays it some, but I always think it’s great to see someone out there who is doing great work while having this condition.

You can find Demi on a lot of things, but I know him most from Dropout, where he also has a comedy special on there. I haven’t watched it yet, but I’m planning on it now.

Are there any other “known” people out there that are making great stuff while narcoleptic?

How do you handle well meaning advice from people in your life?

My partner knows about my diagnosis, but has mostly only known me with some kind of treatment happening, so he hasn’t seen me at my worst. I think he knows I’m an extra tired person, but I don’t know if he gets that it’s more than that. I’ve experienced similar behavior from my mom as well. They both know of my diagnosis.

I had really bad sleep inertia this morning; I had a long day with no naps yesterday, and I took my stimulant and got up right away — I usually go back to sleep until it takes effect. We were sitting on the couch when I put my head in my hands and made a groaning noise. He gently quipped that he used to be like this in mornings until he implemented a routine.

Whomp whomp.

I know he is trying to be helpful, but it’s so frustrating because I’ve finally let go of the “I’m just lazy” idea, and have cut myself some slack when I’m struggling with sleepiness. I know he’s being earnest and he did used to struggle with waking up. But I’m bothered that he seems to think this is fixable by a simple change. Hell, he knows I’m getting ready to start trying Xywav. I’m now worried he’ll think it’s just a sleep aid.

Similarly, my mom has been aware of my whole journey — I was diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia, but my current doctor strongly suspects it’s narcolepsy without cataplexy. The other day, she offered some kind of advice on sleep hygiene. I get that she wants to help, but it feels insulting that she thinks it’s just a matter of willpower.

I guess this is mostly just a rant. However, I wish I had some kind of non-aggro way to remind the people that I’m closest to that this isn’t something with easy solutions. I’d know if it was. I don’t think any of it is malicious, but maybe it’s a lack of education on my part. Is there something I could say to address this “advice”? I don’t need anyone to fix it. I just need them to understand it’s hard, and I’m trying, but it’s like going against the tide sometimes.

I’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s since my teens, and it’s now been over 20 years. I’ve taken levothyroxine almost the entire time. I only went up on my dosage once, and out of the numerous times I’ve done bloodwork, my levels were only off once.

I knew I was low on my prescription, so I tried ordering it a few days ago. It’s now been three days without my meds and only now does the pharmacy tell me my prescriber refuses to fill it. I call the doctor’s office and they chide me because I haven’t been in a year. They will not refill my prescription until I go in tomorrow. Oh, and I have to fast for bloodwork, so let’s make that appointment at the crack of dawn.

Considering it’s day three without thyroid replacement, I feel like crap on a cracker. I can barely find the energy to do anything. I feel weary to my bones.

I know none of this is a huge deal, and I’m sure the doctor is just trying to be responsible, but this feels unfair for some reason. I’ve never had a doctor hold a prescription over my head like this. I don’t even like this doctor, because they always have me see a nurse practitioner, and got weirdly shame-y when I had an abnormal pap (thank god my gynecologist — who I found after — is an angel). They also looked at me sideways when I asked about medical marijuana, which I was interested in for chronic migraine, but wanted to be responsible before just going to some random weed doctor. I have like 5 specialists though, so it’s a pain to find a new primary.

I’m so sick of being this reliant on a medication. Usually, Hashimoto’s is something I can almost forget about, because once I treat it it’s very low maintenance. I feel like raging even though my energy is in the dirt. I hate this condition.

Hopefully the context of this is allowed. I’m neurodivergent, and I had a recent situation where I admitted to some people that 9/11 is a special interest. They immediately started bringing up conspiracies and odd ideas about things surrounding 9/11.

I have encountered this every time I tell people I have an interest in 9/11. However, I freeze and forget what to say, so I usually say something about how I have a lot of reverence and respect for the tragedy and the victims, and in all my research I feel very confident that the conspiracy theories are invalid. I do try to end the conversation by saying that it is more than likely the US government handled things poorly, before and after the event, and that can often be conflated with suspicious behavior.

First of all, I find it incredibly disheartening how people respond when I tell them this vulnerable thing about myself. I’m not proud to be fixated on 9/11, but I have a deep need to understand as much as I can about it, and educate others when I can. Secondly, it’s awful when they think it’s an invitation to speak conspiratorially. Maybe I need to bring it up in a different way, because it might sound like I’m interested in the day for the wrong reasons.

Are there any good resources to point people to? Or rebuttals? Or like an infographic with facts?

I have been diagnosed with IH, but my latest doctor suspects it’s narcolepsy. She prescribed me Xywav, but I need to taper off trazodone first.

I figured it’ll take a few weeks, even though I’m on a low dose (50 mg). Even halving it makes my brain feel like aluminum foil when I start drifting off. It’s like I can’t get into a deep sleep; I’ll feel sleepy and disoriented, but I’m still waking up or almost awake for most of the night.

I’ve been on trazodone for a while, and the only thing I hate about it is missing a dose. Has anyone else had experience with tapering off a sleep aid before switching to something like Xywav? I’ve tried “medicated” gummies, but those only help me fall asleep, not stay asleep.

I’m going to connect with my psychiatrist about the actual mechanics of titration, but phew. I have been sleeping so terribly, which means I’m falling asleep extra in the day. I guess I’m looking for advice on how to go from sleeping through the night to the spotty, disrupted sleep my body wants to have on its own.

I’m in my 30s, but was a late bloomer and only have had sex with my current partner. I’m still relatively new at this and have no other experiences to look to. I’m also on the asexual spectrum, but very sex-positive and sexually attracted to my partner. I’m female and my partner is male.

I very much am committed to my partner, but I sometimes question our sexual encounters. We often start with me going down on him, and there will occasionally be some light reciprocation (touching, oral, etc.), but whether we end there or with intercourse, I feel like I’m somehow considered optional, or like I have no preference. Once in a blue moon he’ll spend dedicated time on me, but it usually results in me finishing myself. I’m on some medications that make it hard to climax, so I’m pretty understanding. However, it makes me sad that he barely even tries.

I like going down on him, but is there something crazy about me expecting some reciprocation once in a while?

I sometimes feel crazy, because I’m wondering of if I maybe come across as disinterested. But I’m always up for sex, and we don’t have it very often. Last time, he had to leave soon after he finished, so he hopped in the shower while I had to clean up and wish I could take a cool shower. I know time was short, but I wish he would at least come back to me later or something. Instead, he just apologizes for being boring.

I’m not bored, but I sometimes feel like an object or like I don’t have needs too.

What the hell should I even say in this situation? I want him to magically notice or realize I’m only ever getting myself off, and that him not even pretending to try is a huge downer — I already feel bad I can’t climax easily. I know I deserve more in our sex life, but it feels so pathetic to ask someone to be more into your body or giving you pleasure. I just wish that was a given.

How can I have a conversation about this without making him feel bad? I’m not trying to protect his ego, but I also don’t want him to think I’ve hated our sex life this whole time. I do enjoy making him happy and the closeness, but I also feel a deep sadness when people talk about reciprocation and I’m like, shit, am I really one of those people who isn’t going to say something?

I’ve been freelancing for over three years due to chronic health issues. It’s been a tough road, but I’m finally finding some stability.

I recently took a contract job with an agency. It goes for the whole year and is supposed to be 10-12 hours a week, with the expectation the work will be a little heavier at first. The pay is decent for part-time work, but my plan was to take on other clients to make this worthwhile. The pay for this is set and distributed monthly.

Unfortunately, the work is taking much longer than 10-12 hours a week. I’m not tracking my hours since it’s retainer, but I’d say 75-85% of my work week is occupied by this client. Furthermore, they’ve been pressing heavily for quick responses across email/project management platform/messaging system. They essentially want me to be on call 24/7.

For instance, I checked all the systems today at 9 and 10. However, they decided at 10:20 to have an internal meeting at 11:15 and a client meeting at 11:30. I was offline doing other tasks — which I’m behind on because of how taxing this project has been — and checked in around 11:20 to see some stern messages to “everyone” about how we need to be more responsive.

Am I crazy to think this is overkill? I already have push notifications for email (which sends alerts about the PM platform) and the messaging system, but I only get direct @ messages alerted because otherwise it was notifications about nothing constantly (they love to roast their clients while they’re in meetings with them).

I’m kind of at a loss, here. I feel like something needs to change. I get that I’m being paid a set amount for the run of this project, but I did not agree to spend even half my week on this. I’m not getting paid to work this much for this much neediness.

Additionally, they’ve said they put me on the most important project in the agency, then have been very unresponsive in providing feedback and saying things like, “we trust your judgment,” etc. They even have me writing copy for things.

I have no idea how to handle this. There wasn’t a formal contract signed (I requested it, but things magically got started without). I feel like I need to set some boundaries, but this is also a big chunk of my income right now and it’s steady, at least. I like freelancing, but hate managing the non-design side of things. I’m not even sure what to research right now.