u/Shadow_Screen

hEDS, POTS, likely MCAS (in the process).

So we had the first proper warm day here. I hate it already.

Inside my house it was only about 3 degrees warmer than usual, and I went for a gentle walk in the evening (about 30 minutes, about 20⁰C outside at that point).

Well, my fingers are noticeably swollen. My knuckles feel tight, and my usually very loose ring had to some off. But I also noticed some mild chest pain from the band if my bra. The pain is relieved when I remove my bra, but it's not even that tight (it's a stretched out old sports bra). I have had this chest pain before, but it's my first time realizing it's connected to heat. More swelling?!

I drink electrolytes and take a salt pill, and wear compress up to my thighs, daily. What else are we doing to help ease this swelling? (I'm pretty cold intolerant, just popping an ice cube from a tray is very painful to the skin on my hands).

I'm not sure if this is EDS related (I have hEDS), but it feels related.

I thought I'd developed pelvic organ prolapse, and a pelvic floor physio confirmed she could feel my bladder pushing into my vagina. But I made zero progress in 4 months, despite being very consistent with exercises. I finally got an ultrasound and was told I have a ureterocele (which is apparently odd because it's usually caught in utero). I have been waiting quite a while to see a urologist.

Does anyone else have experience with this? Does it present similar to bladder prolapse for you? I can't find a lot of information, because it's mostly about babies.

I'm one year into being fully committed to witchcraft (though I still feel uncomfortable calling myself a witch, imposter syndrome perhaps). I gradually worked my way up for about a year before, and have always been very drawn to and intrigued by it. I have always been an atheist and very science minded, and this held me back for a long time. But then I heard someone refer to witchcraft as a self imposed placebo, something about that phrase just clicked for me. I realized I could do this without religion, deities, or really any rules. I can pick what I like, what works for me, and that’s all there is to it.

So at this point my practice isn't huge, I worked through some things with trial and error. I observe the holidays by making myself an intentional meal (trying out a new recipe, following seasonal ingredients - I really enjoy fool and cooking), and typically doing a tarot pull (I found a deck I really like, and use it to prompt self reflection - I don't believe in any divination abilities). I like taking the time to acknowledge new seasons, and things like that. I try to follow moon phases, just because I'm a space nerd and love the moon. Other than that I'll occasionally do a ritual or spell if I feel a reason. I'll do it if I need to work through some emotions, or if I just feel I need to DO something when it's otherwise out of my control. (Eg. I did a sugar jar when we put an offer on a new house. In no way do I expect it influenced the outcome, but it gave me something to do with my nervous energy).

That's pretty much it. Sometimes I score symbols on my bread, or stir intentions into food. But it's all to prompt and remind myself of things I am trying to focus on.

Anyways, sorry for rambling, but I would love to hear some of your reasons for the why behind your practices.

I'm looking for some direction for a ritual to help me work through some misplaced resentment. I'm very much of the mindset that witchcraft is a self imposed placebo, and I need some help getting out of an unpleasant headspace.

Basically something has recently come up with my nephew, which has dug up some feelings I guess I buried over a similar situation with my son a few years ago. My nephew is being treated incredibly kind and thoughtfully by medical professionals, where my son was not. Please don't get me wrong, I am very happy my nephew is having a better experience, it's what I'd want! But it's made me realize I am holding onto a lot of feelings over my son's treatment.

Any time the situation with my nephew comes up, I struggle. It's like I am reliving my son's experience, and I am so angry about the difference in treatment. I really want to sever these two experiences, I don't want my own baggage interfering with my nephews situation.

Anyways, I am not sure how to proceed, and am looking for suggestions. I don't know if a cord cutting type thing could help, or if I need to make some sort of sigil or something as more of an ongoing prompt. But I am open to and interested in your ideas.