u/IBlameTheMoon

Prelude: All due respect to those who are lucky to take even one step out of bed. I see you!

Question: If before you developed ME/CFS you were a fast walker ( everywhere!), did you train yourself to walk slower so to conserve energy? It finally dawned on me that my normal habit of being a fast walker ( probably because I have short legs) is probably making my fatigue worse. So not only have I had to learn to pace all activities during the day, but now when I do them I have to resist the urge to zip around the house because I get a burst of energy. I keep forgetting that I have a small tank of energy at that moment and going faster doesn’t use less of that energy.

Genetic testing showed I’m a faster metabolizer of Lexapro so increasing my dosage is recommended but when I’ve gone up to 20 mg per day the restless leg was relentless! I have other conditions that are exacerbated by lack of sleep so this became miserable.

Pharmacogenetics testing Wellbutrin may be a decent alternative although I am CYP2B6 intermediate metabolizer so could result in reduced effects.

I have panic attacks and Lex has done well in controlling these so I’m worried about switching but the idea of no restless leg is appealing.

Anyone in my situation had a successful tradition to Wellbutrin?

Genetic testing showed I’m a faster metabolizer of Lexapro so increasing my dosage is recommended but when I’ve gone up to 20 mg per day the restless leg was relentless! I have other conditions that are exacerbated by lack of sleep so this became miserable.

Pharmacogenetics testing Wellbutrin may be a decent alternative although I am CYP2B6 intermediate metabolizer so could result in reduced effects.

I have panic attacks and Lex has done well in controlling these so I’m worried about switching but the idea of no restless leg is appealing.

Anyone in my situation had a successful tradition to Wellbutrin?

Here’s my pain pattern when a flare starts:

One shoulder and arm hurts.
The pain will stop and then move to my other arm. Sometimes this may be triggered when I over compensating with the opposite arm.

Then the pain moves to my hips and legs. Right now one whole side of body hurts. Shoulder, arm, hip, leg. That will eventually end but then move to the other side.

I call this floating pain.

Can you relate?

I have fibro, CFS, and gerd with IBS-D like symptoms. I'm prediabetic and obese with raised CVD risk (borderline-high cholesterol, high Trig and high small LDL particles.)

My insurance will only cover Mounjaro and Ozempic with a copay I can actually afford.

Those of you taking Mounjaro - my first choice- did you experience upset stomach? Did it help your pain level? Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

I'm in my late 50s and my cholesterol is getting to the point where I may need to consider taking a statin. Myself and my doctor have tried to avoid up till now because I already have pain from fibro. If you have fibro and you're taking a statin, please share your experiences. Did it increase your pain level?

On a good day, I may be able to manage a thirty minute walk at 2.5 mph, but that's it. And the good days are becoming fewer and fewer. As you know, what a good day is for someone with fibro, is very limiting. Unfortunately, I'm about 40lbs overweight, in my late 50s, and, like a lot of people, I'm struggling to get it off. I've come to the conclusion that the only chance I have of losing is by focusing on food intake. For personal health reasons, I'm not going to take a GLP-1, in fact, I was advised by a geneticist not to.

If you've lost weight without medical assistance, what worked for you?

If I have bought seats using points on a flight in October, and I close my SW card now, will I lose those seats? Thanks!

I've met a breeder who asks that her pups get one shot at a time. What was your vaccine schedule like? I do understand the reason why she requires this-- not overwhelming the immune system in such a small puppy.

Has anyone gotten a Westie from West Highland Puppies in Culpeper, VA? They have a Facebook page but no website with information. No mention of health testing, deworming, vaccinations or vet check ups before eight weeks. Thanks!

Edit: Scrolling thru their FB posts, they do mention "fully vaccinated" when they post about 8 weeks pups being available.

I'm thinking of trying the sport but my husband and I both have lower back injuries. Would kayaking be tough on someone with that type of injury? I'm wondering is sitting at that 90 degree angle for a long period going to further strain the back.

Thanks for the advice.

Let's hear yours!

Update: Does anyone like Sugar ? Even for a boy?

After being the mum of four golden retrievers, I'm at the age and physical ability where my next dog will need to be a small one. I've always loved the look and spunk of a Westie.

My current lifestyle is retired and one of us is home every day except for the following:

We may have a date night once or twice a month that includes being out of the house for as much as four hours.

We may take a daytrip on the weekend about three or four times a year and be gone as long as 6-8 hours.

We take one or two vacation trips a year but we board our dogs in a fantastic kennel that we've been using for 15 years.

Daily activities include walking our dogs once or twice a day, weather depending, and playing with the dogs in our yard at least once a day.

Would my lifestyle be ideal for owning a Westie? What are the pros and cons of owning one?

Thanks!