u/JenL0159

I have lumbar retrolisthesis L5-S1, and collapsed arches. I need a walking shoe for an upcoming vacation where we will be doing a ton of walking around the city.

I’ve read conflicting advice as far as what shoe specs are best for my conditions - high heel drop vs low, more cushioned shoes vs firmer stability shoes, rocker bottoms vs rigid rollbars… and I’m confused & overwhelmed.

Who would be the “authority” on this?

My first thought was a podiatrist…but worried they’ll only focus on my flat feet and won’t fully understand or take into consideration my back issue…

Would a physical therapist likely have better advice? Chiro?

I’ve heard of going to a running store for a gait analysis and going with their recs, but that seems like that’s geared towards people without any major issues who are just wanting to “optimize”.

For some reason I feel like asking an orthopedist will just get me blown off.

Any advice? Thanks!!

I have lumbar retrolisthesis L5-S1, and collapsed arches. I need a walking shoe for an upcoming vacation where we will be doing a ton of walking around the city.

I’ve read conflicting advice as far as what shoe specs are best for my conditions - high heel drop vs low, more cushioned shoes vs firmer stability shoes, rocker bottoms vs rigid rollbars… and I’m confused & overwhelmed.

Who would be the “authority” on this?

My first thought was a podiatrist…but worried they’ll only focus on my flat feet and won’t fully understand or take into consideration my back issue…

Would a physical therapist likely have better advice?

I’ve heard of going to a running store for a gait analysis and going with their recs, but that seems geared towards people without any major issues who are just looking to “optimize”.

For some reason I feel like asking an orthopedist will just get me blown off. Maybe a chiro?

Any advice? Thanks!!

I’ve heard of dogs having GI-related adverse reactions to Adequan, but what about skin-allergies? *Intense* itching, 3 small, red hives (spread out, not clustered), and his thighs and groin area have become quite pink. Constant chewing/licking/biting/scratching at his feet, legs, flanks.

My dog has seasonal allergies and was already struggling prior to his first injection enough to where I was actually planning to take him for Cytopoint this weekend, but approx 4 hours after the Adequan injection, his skin allergies at least tripled in intensity. He didn’t have the 3 bumps beforehand, and wasn’t going at himself non-stop.

Usually he only needs 1 Claritin, 1 Benadryl, and a couple applications of hydrocortisone spray a DAY to keep things under control, but within only 12 hrs of the Adequan he’s needed 5 Benadryls, plus 5mg pred, and hydrocortisone and lidocaine spray every 2-3 hours.

It SOUNDS like this would obviously be tied to the Adequan, but the reason I can’t be 100% sure is because he’s been this severe ONE other time in his life, in April of 2024, and was not on Adequan at that time. We were never able to tie his flare back then to anything specific…so I’m wondering if him flaring up right now is purely coincidental with the timing of the Adequan.

However, its just that it intensified so suddenly. Whenever he was this bad back in April 2024 (not on Adequan), it came on a little more gradually (2 DAYS). This time, he has had mild but somewhat frequent bursts of itching (maybe once an hour) for the past week that I’ve been able to manage decently with daily Claritin, topical hydrocortisone a couple times a day, and 1 Benadryl at night. Then just 3 HOURS after his first Adequan shot, he started up with it non-stop, as in, the only time he’s not chewing on himself hard enough to almost break the skin is when he’s able to sleep for a couple hrs after a fresh dose of Benadryl (of which he’s now needing 2-3 pills every 6 hrs), and I’ve now had to add lidocaine to his topicals since hydrocortisone alone was not making a difference.

Nothing else has changed in his environment or diet. He is not currently having any facial swelling or trouble breathing. Just the skin stuff.

My dog has hip dysplasia. Ever since he started on Antinol (GLM - green lipped mussel), he’s been itchy all over. It’s possible he’s allergic to shellfish. Any other supplements you recommend? He’s already taking Dasuquin Advanced.

Is there a specific alternative to GLM?

If not, then what other ingredient(s) would be beneficial for joints (that isn’t already in Dasuquin Advanced, and isn’t shellfish-based)?

For reference, here are the Dasuquin Advanced ingredients:

Glucosamine
MSM
Sodium Chondroitin
Eggshell membrane
ALA (alpha-lipoic acid)
Curcuminoids
Boswellia
Green Tea Extract
Avocado/Soybean
EPA, DHA, ETA
Manganese

Which RX retinoid is the most gentle? As in, usually better tolerated, easier to acclimate to, less likely to cause severe peeling/irritation?

I’ve read that Aklief (trifarotene) is the most well tolerated, followed by adapalene.

From what I’ve researched, it also seems that tazarotene causes the most side effects, followed by tretinoin…although the Altreno brand version of tret is supposedly much better tolerated than regular tretinoin per their marketing (it contains HA and collagen).

Do you feel that is accurate?

Which RX retinoid is the most gentle? As in, usually better tolerated, easier to acclimate to, less likely to cause severe peeling/irritation?

According to my dr, clinical trials show that Aklief (trifarotene) is the most well tolerated, followed by adapalene.

Seems that tazarotene causes the most side effects, followed by tretinoin…although the Altreno brand version of tret is supposedly much better tolerated than regular tretinoin (also per my dr).

Is that the official stance on these? Or have you been told differently by your derm? Not looking for only personal experience.

Which RX retinoid is the most gentle? As in, usually better tolerated, easier to acclimate to, less likely to cause severe peeling/irritation?

According to my dr, clinical trials show that Aklief (trifarotene) is the most well tolerated, followed by adapalene.

Seems that tazarotene causes the most side effects, followed by tretinoin…although the Altreno brand version of tret is supposedly much better tolerated than regular tretinoin (also per my dr).

Is that the official stance on these? Or have you been told differently by your derm? Not looking for only personal usage experience.

I’m looking to get started on one of these. I have very oily, very acne-prone skin (mainly closed comedones), but also very sensitive. I’m going back n forth between Altreno, Adapalene, and Aklief. Studies report that Aklief is the best tolerated, but everyone on Reddit who’s used it seems to be claiming it’s the most harsh!

Not sure what my typical scent “profile” is…I think mostly floriental? I love Mon de Guerlain, Gucci Rush, Dior Addict, Coco Mademoiselle, Kenzo Amour, Henry Rose Torn, Burberry Her Elixir, Floralstreet Vanilla Orchid, Kiehl’s Original Musk, Kilian Love Don’t be Shy, Stella Stella, Flowerbomb, the Aveda Stress rollerball, Jones Road Shower, Marc Jacobs Perfect, Michael Kors Signature, Replica Coffee Break, and Tom Ford Black Orchid.

I dislike Poison, Delina, Libre, DedCool Milk Extra, Alien, Phlur Vanilla Skin, all of the Kayali perfumes, Donna Born in Roma, Good Girl and all the flankers, anything by Lancome, Baccarat Rouge 540, Prada Infusion de Vanille, Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid, Yves Mon Paris, Brown Girl Jane Peach Aura and Casablanca, and Burberry Goddess, just to name a few.

I dislike vetiver, coconut, almond, leather, and anything too smoky, too woody, burnt, toasted, or too straightforward sickly sweet candy. I’ve also never found a beachy, mossy/rain, or super citrusy or marine scent that smells good on me either.

I do like vanilla, patchouli, peach, lavender, chocolate, tuberose, raspberry, strawberry, orchid, subtle powder, subtle coffee, and rose notes.

No particular budget. Open to suggestions from any house, including niche. I haven’t smelled a new mainstream designer fragrance that I’ve liked in years (most of the ones I listed above are pretty old). I hate that generic “department store” perfume smell. A lot of things smell too overpowering of floral or like bug spray to me. Many overtly sugary or fruity fragrances also smell cheap to me. If there’s a body spray version of it I’m probably not gonna like it.

No preference on day vs night or summer vs winter scents.

Any ideas?? Thanks!!!

Not sure what my typical scent “profile” is…I think maybe primarily floriental? I love Mon de Guerlain, Gucci Rush, Dior Addict, Coco Mademoiselle, Kenzo Amour, Henry Rose Torn, Burberry Her Elixir, Floralstreet Vanilla Orchid, Kiehl’s Musk, Kilian Love Don’t be Shy, Stella Stella, Flowerbomb, the Aveda Stress rollerball, Jones Road Shower, Marc Jacobs Perfect, Michael Kors Signature, Replica Coffee Break, and Tom Ford Black Orchid.

I dislike Poison, Delina, Libre, DedCool Milk Extra, Alien, Phlur Vanilla Skin, all of the Kayali perfumes, Donna Born in Roma, Good Girl and all the flankers, anything by Lancome, Baccarat Rouge 540, Prada Infusion de Vanille, Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid, Yves Mon Paris, Brown Girl Jane Peach Aura and Casablanca, and Burberry Goddess, just to name a few.

I dislike vetiver, coconut, almond, leather, and anything too smoky, too woody, burnt, toasted, or too straightforward sickly sweet candy. I’ve also never found a beachy, mossy/rain, or super citrusy or marine scent that smells good on me either.

I do like vanilla, patchouli, peach, lavender, chocolate, tuberose, raspberry, strawberry, orchid, subtle powder, subtle coffee, and rose notes.

No particular budget. Open to suggestions from any house, including niche. I haven’t smelled a new mainstream designer fragrance that I’ve liked in years (most of the ones I listed above are pretty old). I hate that generic “department store” perfume smell. A lot of things smell too overpowering of floral or like bug spray to me. Many overtly sugary or fruity fragrances also smell cheap to me. If there’s a body spray version of it I’m probably not gonna like it.

No preference on day vs night or summer vs winter scents.

Any ideas?? Thanks!!!