I went on a work trip this week and had to work in an office for 3 days for the first time in a very long time. I really struggled to maintain focus because of the change in scenery and by 3pm...
I went on a work trip this week and had to work in an office for 3 days for the first time in a very long time. I really struggled to maintain focus because of the change in scenery and by 3pm every day I was just feeling way too antsy to get much work done. But I did find out that 2 of my co-workers also have ADHD and we briefly talked about that. It was kind of nice seeing that in-person and in a work environment? I felt seen just by getting to see others bounce their knees, fiddle with stuff, etc. throughout the day. Also one of them is someone I would describe as incredibly organized and professional, which was very inspirational for me.
I may be a fidgety, scatter brained goofball, but having ADHD doesn't mean that's all I can ever be.
I know what you mean a little bit: (1) recently on a work trip last was SO HAPPY they called it a day by 4, and (2) when a very senior and well respected engineer causally mentioned a quirk is due...
I know what you mean a little bit: (1) recently on a work trip last was SO HAPPY they called it a day by 4, and (2) when a very senior and well respected engineer causally mentioned a quirk is due to her autism, it has since made me feel so much more calm that being neurospicy "doesn't mean that's all I can be".
Small Victories: I went to my primary physician appointment, and Asked to be referred to a specialist to manage my ADHD. The previous medication didn't seem to work so I didn't bother to ask for...
Small Victories:
I went to my primary physician appointment, and
Asked to be referred to a specialist to manage my ADHD. The previous medication didn't seem to work so I didn't bother to ask for refills.
Asked for Rx for a digital pill dispenser. I even called my insurance to ask if it's covered (yes) and how I can file for reimbursement. The device beeps gently at present alarm times until I turn it upside down, and I can visually verify if today's slot is empty or not. It still won't make sure I complete all the micro steps, but seems worth a try.
Filed and kept track of recent appointments and expenses.
Challenges
It sounds like I got a lot done recently, and I'm mildly concerned (3/10) that:
I am in a "good" phase right now and soon enough will come out of it into disarray again
I am using these tasks as a distraction from really doing better about a particular type of work at work that I'm avoiding
I will be travelling soon, and will lose whatever good habits and momentum I'm building.
I have missed my flight and a long distance bus already twice (one each) in the past 12 months. Traveling is stressful (4/10).
I still haven't been able to find a device that turns off the stove at a particular overheating temperature and or alarms when someone has walked away. Cooking has become an activity that is stressful (2/10)
I've been thinking a bit about a thing you wrote: This is not advice, just something I thought about concerning my life I'm not sure how I've managed it but what I've found most "worth"a with...
I've been thinking a bit about a thing you wrote:
I will be travelling soon, and will lose whatever good habits and momentum I'm building.
This is not advice, just something I thought about concerning my life
I'm not sure how I've managed it but what I've found most "worth"a with regards to making my life better/"better"b is shortening the time between dropping a "habit"c and being able to start it again.
I think there are 2 parts to it:
I've been doing a lot of self-compassion work for the last 10years, so I'm less likely to bash myself for failing to do things that I have decided to do.
While I still have to make conscious decisions to do stuff I get some benefit from having done them before, in that I know all the steps and have a firmer grasp on how long the thing takes. Often I can remember that the actions in themselves are enjoyable or that I at least know-know (for real, with a cherry on top) that I prefer having the thing done rather than undone (and not only for the sake of checking it off a list but also for its own sake)
I have found that I have a thermometer for my general well being: when, and how hard was it to make my bed today?
If it was easy I'm doing at least OK (or at least I've been able to push through a little bit). If it was hard (or it's still undone) I have to remind myself to be gentle with myself.
Anyway, just felt like sharing a little something from my life that might be hopeful for someone.
A. I hate that it is soooo easy to use capitalistic/market-related language to talk about really important, human stuff and soooo hard to find other ways to express the same sentiment.
B. "better" here means "more in line with how I perceive society's expectations about a good life".
C. I think that I don't really form habits based on how I hear/see other people describe having habits.
There are a lot of nuggets of pure gold in this that I feel I'm not ready for all at once. I'll bookmark this and hope I can find it again. Being able to move past shame, guilt and blame into self...
There are a lot of nuggets of pure gold in this that I feel I'm not ready for all at once. I'll bookmark this and hope I can find it again. Being able to move past shame, guilt and blame into self compassion is possibly one of the earlier steps here, and hopefully fuels the next, of, going back to it sooner. If I must oscillate, I can still aim for higher frequencies.
Yes! Exactly <3 Another metaphor that I have been working with and that is related is the one about being in a hole and trying to climb out. What I try to do is to make the hole less deep so it's...
If I must oscillate, I can still aim for higher frequencies
Yes! Exactly <3
Another metaphor that I have been working with and that is related is the one about being in a hole and trying to climb out. What I try to do is to make the hole less deep so it's easier to climb out of, but I don't really try to avoid falling into it anymore (as that avoidance in itself is quite anxiety inducing for me)
Re. Stoves, may I ask if you’ve looked into an induction cooktop (or a hob if buying a built-in isn’t an option)? They often have pan thermometers which should prevent overheating, although some...
Re. Stoves, may I ask if you’ve looked into an induction cooktop (or a hob if buying a built-in isn’t an option)? They often have pan thermometers which should prevent overheating, although some are better than others (best check reviews).
Re. Presence detection, maybe an outlet that turns off a plug when no one is detected could be useful? Otherwise, some hobs also allow you to set a timer along with the temperature hold, so they turn off after a given time.
For context, I use that to run my pressure cooker, since I’ll often forget it while doing other chores. This way the house doesn’t burn down, and my chickpeas are always done perfectly.
Oh I hadn't thought of induction with built in temperature sensor. (Hob: appliance - smooth cooking surface) Presence detection: yes exactly a device like that. I thought it would be obvious if I...
Oh I hadn't thought of induction with built in temperature sensor. (Hob: appliance - smooth cooking surface)
Presence detection: yes exactly a device like that. I thought it would be obvious if I looked from senior homes independent living accessibility type sites. :/ still looking
I do have an instant pot and it's a very nice safety device indeed. Thank you for sharing so kindly :)
I've been sick for a while now, but mostly not really sick enough to go to the doctor and I'm afraid she's just going to say it's related to my histamine intolerance which I already take...
I've been sick for a while now, but mostly not really sick enough to go to the doctor and I'm afraid she's just going to say it's related to my histamine intolerance which I already take supplements for and I'll just have to wait for it get better.
Being sick doesn't bother me overly much (except when it results in migraines), but my concentration really goes down the drain when I'm sick. I didn't do any actual work yesterday and I'm struggling to get those short bursts of productivity going at least often enough to not fall behind too much
I've come to believe that with health care, unless one has a very caring primary care provider who is willing to take the time and believe you're telling the truth when one inevitably does break...
I've come to believe that with health care, unless one has a very caring primary care provider who is willing to take the time and believe you're telling the truth when one inevitably does break down, one must be the squeaky wheel before things become dire. It's worth going to the doctor to complain about "occasional" but "moderately severe" symptoms, because it's gonna suck when you do go and have to start at Square One: patient probably okay take two aspirin come back next month.
I recently helped someone get their medical record back. The notes that the nurse practitioner wrote in their file was so rude and condescending and horrible: they're the hold pain in until they break type, but the NP assumed the worst of them and basically dismissed them as "didn't come back, must have been idly moaning".
It's probably worthwhile to visit and say, hey I'd like some fast acting short term cures for when I have a migraine, and here's a short log of the frequency thanks for putting them in my chart.
It's not that my doctor doesn't believe me or isn't willing to help, she's the one who diagnosed me in the first place, it's just that there is nothing more to do it seems. I can avoid alcohol and...
It's not that my doctor doesn't believe me or isn't willing to help, she's the one who diagnosed me in the first place, it's just that there is nothing more to do it seems. I can avoid alcohol and foods high in histamine, and take a supplement that helps your immune system, but I'm still going to have this and it's going to make me sicker every time I get sick because of the extra strain on my immune system.
I'm still going to book an appointment about whatever the other sickness is, but last time it was just flu and a mouth sore. Healthcare isn't too expensive in my country, but it still sucked paying for an appointment and not getting anything the pharmacist hadn't already given me the day before.
So I'm pretty sure I have a histamine intolerance too, and I've been taking 1/2 a Benadryl at night (not nightly, just when it's bad) or 1/2 an Allegra during the day (same thing, or when I'm...
So I'm pretty sure I have a histamine intolerance too, and I've been taking 1/2 a Benadryl at night (not nightly, just when it's bad) or 1/2 an Allegra during the day (same thing, or when I'm planning to have a beer or something). Is that not a thing I should be doing (do you know)? Is that a thing you could maybe do?
Also, which supplements? And are you on an ssri (or similar), because this can be a contributing factor to histamine intolerance, from what I've read.
Mostly I'm just curious about your experiences with it, because I haven't run into anyone who has even heard of it (outside random forum posts, which I guess this is too, but).
The supplement is an "Immune Support Supplement" called Viravance by AnaStellar, which seems to be a local South African brand. It's just some vitamins and minerals (and L-Lysine) supposedly...
The supplement is an "Immune Support Supplement" called Viravance by AnaStellar, which seems to be a local South African brand. It's just some vitamins and minerals (and L-Lysine) supposedly formulated to just in general support your immune system. It seems to be marketed towards women, but I can't see why since the packaging doesn't actually mention women other than "Support Her, Support Local" on the one narrow side. It's what the doctor prescribed and if I stop taking it for too long my muscles start aching (which I think might be the postviral fatigue syndrome I was diagnosed with at the same time, I know it's chronic but I'm not quite clear on if that means up to 3 years or forever, or if it's different for different people).
I do keep allergex around because sometimes I wake up at night with a scratchy throat and it's just enough of a nuisance to keep me from falling asleep again, I also take it before drinking some (usually cheaper) red wines otherwise I get a migraine within a few minutes. Red wine has between 20% and 200% more histamine than white wine, but I'm not sure if that's the only factor since it seems to be a thing that some people get headaches or migraines from red wine, might be tannin as well).
I might try just taking allergex to see if it makes a difference, but luckily I seem to be getting better, I didn't feel particularly sick yesterday and I'm not feeling any actual discomfort today either.
I am on ADHD meds (Mefedinel at the moment because I haven't been able to get hold of Radd for quite a while) and lamotrigine, but I haven't noticed a real difference histamine wise with or without them (I tend to skip weekends, and there were times this past year where I just couldn't afford to fill my prescription until payday).
Mostly it doesn't really bother me, I don't particularly have to avoid high histamine foods and except for milk stout recently I can drink alcohol without issue, it's just when I otherwise get sick where I have to avoid everything for a week or two and then I'm typically back to normal.
Hey I am far from an expert, but part of what you are describing to me also sounds like MCAS. Again, far from an expert, that would be your doctor. But I do know it is often difficult to diagnose...
Hey I am far from an expert, but part of what you are describing to me also sounds like MCAS. Again, far from an expert, that would be your doctor. But I do know it is often difficult to diagnose and sometimes overlooked, so might be worth bringing up.
Edit: To be extra clear, my only credentials here are me reading about mcas randomly the other day and now reading about the issues you are facing.
There's going to be some big-ish changes in my life and I've recently learned that I don't deal well with change. Whether it was positive or negative change, I would internally act out. If that...
There's going to be some big-ish changes in my life and I've recently learned that I don't deal well with change. Whether it was positive or negative change, I would internally act out. If that makes sense.
Had a talk about it with my therapist and we're going to figure out how to work with my reaction. What we can do to reduce spiralling. I basically would have a big emotion and wouldn't know how to handle it.
One of the things she suggested was to have something that would be with me before and after the move. Like some kind of routine or hobby.
I was thinking of listening to the entirety of Discworld audiobook again. So it'll be a tether as things change. But I already did that during a trying time in my life and don't want to repeat it.
Now I'm trying to think of a different series I could get into or a new routine or hobby.
Right now I've just been listening to Murderbot diaries again and again. I need my media.
AuDHD here. Autism diagnosed 4 months ago, ADHD 5 years ago Latest struggles Just getting up today As I type this, my arms and hands are a little shaky. I have hints of shutdown. Fuck me. Eating...
AuDHD here. Autism diagnosed 4 months ago, ADHD 5 years ago
Latest struggles
Just getting up today
As I type this, my arms and hands are a little shaky. I have hints of shutdown. Fuck me.
Eating disorder
I've been overweight most of my life. Now I know why.
I was seeing an autism-informed ED therapist but I'm already in normal therapy and couples therapy: I can't take even more on.
On one hand, I'm really lucky that, for now, my insurance covers tirzepatide. On the other, it wreaks havoc on me. Eating often feels like a chore. I have less energy and exercise output, at least for now.
I'm crankier because I now experience "hangry". I didn't hangry prior to tirzepatide. I could go most of a day without food and not really care. ED cuts both ways.
Sensory processing
Strangely, since my diagnosis, I suffer from significantly more sensory overwhelm. Often, this is coincidental with emotional intensity but not always. I'm told this is a form of unmasking but unmasking of sensory experience to oneself. Late diagnosed folks like me can hide/invalidate our own sensory experiences so much that we learn to unconsciously tune them out. Yet they're still there.
Since my diagnosis, I've been a livewire of frequent and sometimes arbitrary discomfort this way. I'm glad to say that this seems to be slowly improving.
Marriage
My wife and I are still trying to negotiate how our responsibilities to one another work when several of them cause me literal physical (sensory) pain that previously went unrecognized.
Burnout
Autistic burnout is a thing. My therapist and I both suspect that I've been in it for at least 2 years if not much of my adult life.
Wins
While I don't have much here, they're significant. I'm proud of them.
Sciencing the shit out of it
I've been developing an iOS app to help support me in my neurodivergent struggles while also encouraging and empowering me. The app has progressed enough that I frequently find value in its coaching. There's loads more work to do.
Though I'm anxious about personal health information (PHI) and the US HIPAA bullshit. I'm hoping that I can steer around most/all of these concerns but it remains to be seen. This could become a problem. On the plus side, the service portion of the app maintains no PHI: it's all in the iOS app itself so it's yours (and will be exportable).
Working on my app has returned some sense of agency and pride to me.. It's helping me slowly climb the ladder out of burnout.
It is my sincerest hope that this tool will become helpful to many of us struggling to figure out how to care for ourselves and even for us who know how but still struggle with the steps.
Actually starting to get chores done some days
Commensurate with the former, I'm able to do more chores now than I could a couple of months ago. I would often have shutdowns when more than 5-10 minutes into most chores. Some days, I can go for a while.
apologies, ADHD. Not very verbose right now since I am still processing and struggling to put it into words, since I am mostly just confused and tons of things make sense in hindsight, but it...
apologies, ADHD. Not very verbose right now since I am still processing and struggling to put it into words, since I am mostly just confused and tons of things make sense in hindsight, but it still feels weird.
It's ok to grieve. You may see painful experiences from your past differently. It's not your fault. You were born this way. Knowing it's there, it's your responsibility to learn how to deal with...
Exemplary
It's ok to grieve. You may see painful experiences from your past differently.
It's not your fault. You were born this way.
Knowing it's there, it's your responsibility to learn how to deal with it.
There's hope: medication works for more than 75% of ADHDers.
You can't get rid of it. You can learn to live with it. Therapy is crucial here
Some folks benefit from ADHD coaches.
Find compassion for yourself in your ADHD cock-ups
combined type. It's just so weird to see myself in so many descriptions of it. Random sudden urges to get moving, and I notice that I fidget a lot, which has definitely increased recently. There's...
combined type. It's just so weird to see myself in so many descriptions of it. Random sudden urges to get moving, and I notice that I fidget a lot, which has definitely increased recently. There's also some descriptors I don't really see in myself, but I guess everyone is different.
I think I skimmed that book. "Skimming" is very ADHD. I'm also combined type and super strong in the H component. Let me recommend How to ADHD. Jessica McCabe does a terrific job. Also, if you...
I think I skimmed that book. "Skimming" is very ADHD.
I'm also combined type and super strong in the H component.
Let me recommend How to ADHD. Jessica McCabe does a terrific job.
Also, if you have ADHD, you may also be autistic. There's a nontrivial correlation between the two conditions. The combination is sometimes called "AuDHD". Also, that's me.
I’ll read into it, but from what I know of it I would be very surprised if I were autistic. I mostly go through audiobooks while running, and this book really fascinates me because so many things...
I’ll read into it, but from what I know of it I would be very surprised if I were autistic. I mostly go through audiobooks while running, and this book really fascinates me because so many things so far have resonated with me. Things like the pirouette syndrome. Is something I have done for so long I thought I was just completely crazy.
I also watch a lot of how to adhd since my therapist told me to look into it :D
Literally quoting the book here: “Another extremely common problem when caught in the DMN is what we call “pirouette syndrome,” a circling back to make sure you’ve done something you’ve already...
Literally quoting the book here:
“Another extremely common problem when caught in the DMN is what we call “pirouette syndrome,” a circling back to make sure you’ve done something you’ve already done. Some people pirouette to be sure they’ve locked the front door, or didn’t leave eggs boiling on the stove; others circle back to find something they are sure they’ve forgotten: sunglasses, a wallet. When you aren’t paying attention in your TPN, it takes a lot of energy to check and double-check to make sure you didn’t pull a royal screw-up. Chances are you did lock the door, took the eggs off the stove, and had your sunglasses on top of your head, but because you weren’t focused in the moment, niggling doubt keeps you panicked until you can go back and check.”
You may misunderstand. Autism and ADHD can coexist. I was diagnosed ADHD years before autism I'm not saying you're autistic. The probably is higher than the general population.
You may misunderstand. Autism and ADHD can coexist. I was diagnosed ADHD years before autism
I'm not saying you're autistic. The probably is higher than the general population.
No I got it :D I just mean from what I read about symptoms of autism, none of them apply to me. Maybe it’s different if combined with adhd. I’ll just read into it
No I got it :D I just mean from what I read about symptoms of autism, none of them apply to me. Maybe it’s different if combined with adhd. I’ll just read into it
Today I accidentally found a way to weave two things together making both easier and more enjoyable to do. washing clothes in the communal laundry room throwing the "recycling" in the recycling...
Today I accidentally found a way to weave two things together making both easier and more enjoyable to do.
washing clothes in the communal laundry room
throwing the "recycling" in the recycling room
A small thing that I prefer is cleaning out the washing machine and run a short drum cleaning program to remove perfume from the previous users, many times I skip it because I don't like standing around 5 minutes waiting (I often regret skipping it!).
Today I took my garbage with me to the laundry room and realised that I can weave the two tasks together by throwing the trash while the short program is running! Win!
I'm almost giggly for finding this... Both tasks will now be easier to do ;)
I went on a work trip this week and had to work in an office for 3 days for the first time in a very long time. I really struggled to maintain focus because of the change in scenery and by 3pm every day I was just feeling way too antsy to get much work done. But I did find out that 2 of my co-workers also have ADHD and we briefly talked about that. It was kind of nice seeing that in-person and in a work environment? I felt seen just by getting to see others bounce their knees, fiddle with stuff, etc. throughout the day. Also one of them is someone I would describe as incredibly organized and professional, which was very inspirational for me.
I may be a fidgety, scatter brained goofball, but having ADHD doesn't mean that's all I can ever be.
I know what you mean a little bit: (1) recently on a work trip last was SO HAPPY they called it a day by 4, and (2) when a very senior and well respected engineer causally mentioned a quirk is due to her autism, it has since made me feel so much more calm that being neurospicy "doesn't mean that's all I can be".
Small Victories:
I went to my primary physician appointment, andAsked to be referred to a specialist to manage my ADHD. The previous medication didn't seem to work so I didn't bother to ask for refills.
Asked for Rx for a digital pill dispenser. I even called my insurance to ask if it's covered (yes) and how I can file for reimbursement. The device beeps gently at present alarm times until I turn it upside down, and I can visually verify if today's slot is empty or not. It still won't make sure I complete all the micro steps, but seems worth a try.
Filed and kept track of recent appointments and expenses.
Challenges
It sounds like I got a lot done recently, and I'm mildly concerned (3/10) that:
I am in a "good" phase right now and soon enough will come out of it into disarray again
I am using these tasks as a distraction from really doing better about a particular type of work at work that I'm avoiding
I will be travelling soon, and will lose whatever good habits and momentum I'm building.
I have missed my flight and a long distance bus already twice (one each) in the past 12 months. Traveling is stressful (4/10).
I still haven't been able to find a device that turns off the stove at a particular overheating temperature and or alarms when someone has walked away. Cooking has become an activity that is stressful (2/10)
I can relate to having a good phase and wondering when it'll crash!
I'm weirdly optimistic these days and that scares me.
:) optimistic is good. When we're out of phase, the good memories are helpful
I've been thinking a bit about a thing you wrote:
This is not advice, just something I thought about concerning my life
I'm not sure how I've managed it but what I've found most "worth"a with regards to making my life better/"better"b is shortening the time between dropping a "habit"c and being able to start it again.
I think there are 2 parts to it:
I have found that I have a thermometer for my general well being: when, and how hard was it to make my bed today?
If it was easy I'm doing at least OK (or at least I've been able to push through a little bit). If it was hard (or it's still undone) I have to remind myself to be gentle with myself.
Anyway, just felt like sharing a little something from my life that might be hopeful for someone.
A. I hate that it is soooo easy to use capitalistic/market-related language to talk about really important, human stuff and soooo hard to find other ways to express the same sentiment.
B. "better" here means "more in line with how I perceive society's expectations about a good life".
C. I think that I don't really form habits based on how I hear/see other people describe having habits.
There are a lot of nuggets of pure gold in this that I feel I'm not ready for all at once. I'll bookmark this and hope I can find it again. Being able to move past shame, guilt and blame into self compassion is possibly one of the earlier steps here, and hopefully fuels the next, of, going back to it sooner. If I must oscillate, I can still aim for higher frequencies.
Yes! Exactly <3
Another metaphor that I have been working with and that is related is the one about being in a hole and trying to climb out. What I try to do is to make the hole less deep so it's easier to climb out of, but I don't really try to avoid falling into it anymore (as that avoidance in itself is quite anxiety inducing for me)
Re. Stoves, may I ask if you’ve looked into an induction cooktop (or a hob if buying a built-in isn’t an option)? They often have pan thermometers which should prevent overheating, although some are better than others (best check reviews).
Re. Presence detection, maybe an outlet that turns off a plug when no one is detected could be useful? Otherwise, some hobs also allow you to set a timer along with the temperature hold, so they turn off after a given time.
For context, I use that to run my pressure cooker, since I’ll often forget it while doing other chores. This way the house doesn’t burn down, and my chickpeas are always done perfectly.
Oh I hadn't thought of induction with built in temperature sensor. (Hob: appliance - smooth cooking surface)
Presence detection: yes exactly a device like that. I thought it would be obvious if I looked from senior homes independent living accessibility type sites. :/ still looking
I do have an instant pot and it's a very nice safety device indeed. Thank you for sharing so kindly :)
I've been sick for a while now, but mostly not really sick enough to go to the doctor and I'm afraid she's just going to say it's related to my histamine intolerance which I already take supplements for and I'll just have to wait for it get better.
Being sick doesn't bother me overly much (except when it results in migraines), but my concentration really goes down the drain when I'm sick. I didn't do any actual work yesterday and I'm struggling to get those short bursts of productivity going at least often enough to not fall behind too much
I've come to believe that with health care, unless one has a very caring primary care provider who is willing to take the time and believe you're telling the truth when one inevitably does break down, one must be the squeaky wheel before things become dire. It's worth going to the doctor to complain about "occasional" but "moderately severe" symptoms, because it's gonna suck when you do go and have to start at Square One: patient probably okay take two aspirin come back next month.
I recently helped someone get their medical record back. The notes that the nurse practitioner wrote in their file was so rude and condescending and horrible: they're the hold pain in until they break type, but the NP assumed the worst of them and basically dismissed them as "didn't come back, must have been idly moaning".
It's probably worthwhile to visit and say, hey I'd like some fast acting short term cures for when I have a migraine, and here's a short log of the frequency thanks for putting them in my chart.
It's not that my doctor doesn't believe me or isn't willing to help, she's the one who diagnosed me in the first place, it's just that there is nothing more to do it seems. I can avoid alcohol and foods high in histamine, and take a supplement that helps your immune system, but I'm still going to have this and it's going to make me sicker every time I get sick because of the extra strain on my immune system.
I'm still going to book an appointment about whatever the other sickness is, but last time it was just flu and a mouth sore. Healthcare isn't too expensive in my country, but it still sucked paying for an appointment and not getting anything the pharmacist hadn't already given me the day before.
Awww :( in the way of feeling stuck that sort of feels worse. Hope you find something that works
So I'm pretty sure I have a histamine intolerance too, and I've been taking 1/2 a Benadryl at night (not nightly, just when it's bad) or 1/2 an Allegra during the day (same thing, or when I'm planning to have a beer or something). Is that not a thing I should be doing (do you know)? Is that a thing you could maybe do?
Also, which supplements? And are you on an ssri (or similar), because this can be a contributing factor to histamine intolerance, from what I've read.
Mostly I'm just curious about your experiences with it, because I haven't run into anyone who has even heard of it (outside random forum posts, which I guess this is too, but).
The supplement is an "Immune Support Supplement" called Viravance by AnaStellar, which seems to be a local South African brand. It's just some vitamins and minerals (and L-Lysine) supposedly formulated to just in general support your immune system. It seems to be marketed towards women, but I can't see why since the packaging doesn't actually mention women other than "Support Her, Support Local" on the one narrow side. It's what the doctor prescribed and if I stop taking it for too long my muscles start aching (which I think might be the postviral fatigue syndrome I was diagnosed with at the same time, I know it's chronic but I'm not quite clear on if that means up to 3 years or forever, or if it's different for different people).
I do keep allergex around because sometimes I wake up at night with a scratchy throat and it's just enough of a nuisance to keep me from falling asleep again, I also take it before drinking some (usually cheaper) red wines otherwise I get a migraine within a few minutes. Red wine has between 20% and 200% more histamine than white wine, but I'm not sure if that's the only factor since it seems to be a thing that some people get headaches or migraines from red wine, might be tannin as well).
I might try just taking allergex to see if it makes a difference, but luckily I seem to be getting better, I didn't feel particularly sick yesterday and I'm not feeling any actual discomfort today either.
I am on ADHD meds (Mefedinel at the moment because I haven't been able to get hold of Radd for quite a while) and lamotrigine, but I haven't noticed a real difference histamine wise with or without them (I tend to skip weekends, and there were times this past year where I just couldn't afford to fill my prescription until payday).
Mostly it doesn't really bother me, I don't particularly have to avoid high histamine foods and except for milk stout recently I can drink alcohol without issue, it's just when I otherwise get sick where I have to avoid everything for a week or two and then I'm typically back to normal.
Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad you're feeling better!
Hey I am far from an expert, but part of what you are describing to me also sounds like MCAS. Again, far from an expert, that would be your doctor. But I do know it is often difficult to diagnose and sometimes overlooked, so might be worth bringing up.
Edit: To be extra clear, my only credentials here are me reading about mcas randomly the other day and now reading about the issues you are facing.
There's going to be some big-ish changes in my life and I've recently learned that I don't deal well with change. Whether it was positive or negative change, I would internally act out. If that makes sense.
Had a talk about it with my therapist and we're going to figure out how to work with my reaction. What we can do to reduce spiralling. I basically would have a big emotion and wouldn't know how to handle it.
One of the things she suggested was to have something that would be with me before and after the move. Like some kind of routine or hobby.
I was thinking of listening to the entirety of Discworld audiobook again. So it'll be a tether as things change. But I already did that during a trying time in my life and don't want to repeat it.
Now I'm trying to think of a different series I could get into or a new routine or hobby.
Right now I've just been listening to Murderbot diaries again and again. I need my media.
I'm assuming this is the Au side of Audhd.
AuDHD here. Autism diagnosed 4 months ago, ADHD 5 years ago
Latest struggles
Just getting up today
As I type this, my arms and hands are a little shaky. I have hints of shutdown. Fuck me.
Eating disorder
I've been overweight most of my life. Now I know why.
I was seeing an autism-informed ED therapist but I'm already in normal therapy and couples therapy: I can't take even more on.
On one hand, I'm really lucky that, for now, my insurance covers tirzepatide. On the other, it wreaks havoc on me. Eating often feels like a chore. I have less energy and exercise output, at least for now.
I'm crankier because I now experience "hangry". I didn't hangry prior to tirzepatide. I could go most of a day without food and not really care. ED cuts both ways.
Sensory processing
Strangely, since my diagnosis, I suffer from significantly more sensory overwhelm. Often, this is coincidental with emotional intensity but not always. I'm told this is a form of unmasking but unmasking of sensory experience to oneself. Late diagnosed folks like me can hide/invalidate our own sensory experiences so much that we learn to unconsciously tune them out. Yet they're still there.
Since my diagnosis, I've been a livewire of frequent and sometimes arbitrary discomfort this way. I'm glad to say that this seems to be slowly improving.
Marriage
My wife and I are still trying to negotiate how our responsibilities to one another work when several of them cause me literal physical (sensory) pain that previously went unrecognized.
Burnout
Autistic burnout is a thing. My therapist and I both suspect that I've been in it for at least 2 years if not much of my adult life.
Wins
While I don't have much here, they're significant. I'm proud of them.
Sciencing the shit out of it
I've been developing an iOS app to help support me in my neurodivergent struggles while also encouraging and empowering me. The app has progressed enough that I frequently find value in its coaching. There's loads more work to do.
Though I'm anxious about personal health information (PHI) and the US HIPAA bullshit. I'm hoping that I can steer around most/all of these concerns but it remains to be seen. This could become a problem. On the plus side, the service portion of the app maintains no PHI: it's all in the iOS app itself so it's yours (and will be exportable).
Working on my app has returned some sense of agency and pride to me.. It's helping me slowly climb the ladder out of burnout.
It is my sincerest hope that this tool will become helpful to many of us struggling to figure out how to care for ourselves and even for us who know how but still struggle with the steps.
Actually starting to get chores done some days
Commensurate with the former, I'm able to do more chores now than I could a couple of months ago. I would often have shutdowns when more than 5-10 minutes into most chores. Some days, I can go for a while.
Those are great strong wins, I hope you're getting more on top of it all. I hadn't heard about autism burn out and am reading about it now
Any tips for people who literally just found out that they have it, and are trying to understand what it means?
Which "it"? Autism or ADHD?
apologies, ADHD. Not very verbose right now since I am still processing and struggling to put it into words, since I am mostly just confused and tons of things make sense in hindsight, but it still feels weird.
What kind of ADHD did you get diagnosed with? Combined? Hyperactive? Attentional?
combined type. It's just so weird to see myself in so many descriptions of it. Random sudden urges to get moving, and I notice that I fidget a lot, which has definitely increased recently. There's also some descriptors I don't really see in myself, but I guess everyone is different.
Currently reading ADHD 2.0 and I like it so far.
I think I skimmed that book. "Skimming" is very ADHD.
I'm also combined type and super strong in the H component.
Let me recommend How to ADHD. Jessica McCabe does a terrific job.
Also, if you have ADHD, you may also be autistic. There's a nontrivial correlation between the two conditions. The combination is sometimes called "AuDHD". Also, that's me.
I’ll read into it, but from what I know of it I would be very surprised if I were autistic. I mostly go through audiobooks while running, and this book really fascinates me because so many things so far have resonated with me. Things like the pirouette syndrome. Is something I have done for so long I thought I was just completely crazy.
I also watch a lot of how to adhd since my therapist told me to look into it :D
What is this?
Literally quoting the book here:
“Another extremely common problem when caught in the DMN is what we call “pirouette syndrome,” a circling back to make sure you’ve done something you’ve already done. Some people pirouette to be sure they’ve locked the front door, or didn’t leave eggs boiling on the stove; others circle back to find something they are sure they’ve forgotten: sunglasses, a wallet. When you aren’t paying attention in your TPN, it takes a lot of energy to check and double-check to make sure you didn’t pull a royal screw-up. Chances are you did lock the door, took the eggs off the stove, and had your sunglasses on top of your head, but because you weren’t focused in the moment, niggling doubt keeps you panicked until you can go back and check.”
You may misunderstand. Autism and ADHD can coexist. I was diagnosed ADHD years before autism
I'm not saying you're autistic. The probably is higher than the general population.
No I got it :D I just mean from what I read about symptoms of autism, none of them apply to me. Maybe it’s different if combined with adhd. I’ll just read into it
Today I accidentally found a way to weave two things together making both easier and more enjoyable to do.
A small thing that I prefer is cleaning out the washing machine and run a short drum cleaning program to remove perfume from the previous users, many times I skip it because I don't like standing around 5 minutes waiting (I often regret skipping it!).
Today I took my garbage with me to the laundry room and realised that I can weave the two tasks together by throwing the trash while the short program is running! Win!
I'm almost giggly for finding this... Both tasks will now be easier to do ;)