My medical nerd side is fascinated with how opioids/opioid receptors interact with neurotransmitters.

It is a likely good thing that I can't take any of the opioids, or any type of HRT either. Really every med I ever had to take didn't agree with me so I avoid them as much as possible. I take child dosages of those I need.

so I am also experiencing Sherman Potter withdrawal.

Understandable.

My big excitement for the day was having the luminary removed from my nails. They have been coated for 3 years and needed to take a breathing break. They are pretty sad and will be generously doused with coconut oil for a couple months while keeping them super short. They grow like weeds so I hope to go back to polish by Christmas.

My niece says my mom's surgeon is OKing her dropping the opiate and just taking Tylenol and ibuprofen. She has really not been liking the side effects. Hopefully two days will not be enough to mess up her neurotransmitters too badly? Fingers crossed

chemical nonsense driving the bus

Hormone imbalance has been my primary anti-cancer treatment for over seven years now. It is still successful at keeping the cancer quiet, but it was hard to learn to ignore the 3 a.m. black dog when it conspires with the brain weasels.

Oh, man, that's a steep price for something you really really need!

My niece says my mom's surgeon is OKing her dropping the opiate and just taking Tylenol and ibuprofen. She has really not been liking the side effects.

I hope she does well on just OTC meds!

Me too! It's what she was taking before the surgery and it was working well. Hopefully there's not too much more pain to be dealt with now.

Timelies all!

The furnace has been fixed. Luckily, this past week the nighttime temps have been in the 60s, so not having the furnace has been fine for us.

I also have a new Bluetooth mouse. (Hey, it's the little things.)

This weekend we are going to the local folklore society's annual retreat. I need to figure out what to pack, given that it's supposed to be cool and rainy for much of the weekend.

Ok, it’s been longer than I planned, for no good reason.

Are you mostly remote, Calli? How often do you have to be in office? 1.5 hours is a long drive.

Yes, I’m mostly remote. I’ve gone in about once a mont so far, which is totally doable. Also, t-, I’m glad your mom’s surgery went well.

Debet, I’m sorry work is awful, and I hope you’re in a better situation soon.

Tom, I’d love to hear more about the bookbinding class. That’s something I’ve been interested in learning about, but the timing/opportunity just hasn’t happened for me yet.

Hi, all. I've been reading and nodding and feeling sympathetic thoughts for those struggling, but I realized I haven't typed much in...awhile. So hi. I'm still here. I'm sorry I'm not being very responsive. I'm using all my spoons for work and personal stuff.

My hormones are just a hot mess. I've been on BC pills since I was 16 because of PCOS (now called PMOS, much more accurate), so my perimenopause symptoms have been mostly masked. It was funny to me when — despite not changing doses AT ALL — my PCP started labeling my pills HRT rather than BC last year. I have the occasional hot flash, especially at night, but not much else. Well, I have brain fog, but that is also ADHD so...chicken? Egg? However, my body has decided that it wants to keep on having those monthly periods and nasty headaches DESPITE my being 51, which is just Not On. My gynecologist said she would switch my current dose down once I hit 52 since that's the average age for American women to have menopause. Is that right? That seems like it can't be right. But I may just be bitter.

I'm 50 and bitter that I'm not done.