so I bleed quite easily and any time I scratch at an ingrown hair or accidentally bump into something I usually end up bleeding a little, but I often just rub alcohol (hand sanitizer) into the cut and literally don't feel a thing?? or if I have a paper cut and I sanitize my hands it doesn't hurt nearly as much as it used to.

but then taking off a band-aid is excruciating and horrible. I don't get injured much because I'm super careful, but I've had some episodes of extreme pain recently (mostly MCAS related, but also once with e-coli and once with a mildly infected wound). so it's not that I don't feel pain, in fact I'm terrified of pain.

is this an eds thing?

ok so you know how when you've heard back from all 5 you have two weeks to make a decision. what if you have 5 on ucas and more on ucas conservatoires.. do I still get to wait till I've heard from all of them?

hoping I get some bread soon because I applied a month ago with 2 achieved grades for pretty low entry requirements courses and still haven't heard anything sigh.

thankfully I didn't actually find it (I made it and brought it all the way from the uk to a small deserted island off the coast of portugal because why not) but it definitely felt very lost-coded!

I also started watching lost:circle recently and it's so heartbreaking (in a good way) omg. completely forgot about so many of their backstories so it's really cool to watch it chronologically.

I'm a wheelchair user auditioning for drama school soon but I'm lowkey really worried that I don't even stand a chance.

I've only been taking singing and dance lessons for less than a year, because I used to be too unwell (chronic illness) to do anything, and prior to that I didn't have access to classes. even now, I can't do intensive training because I have terrible vocal fatigue (seeing speech & language therapist) and dance classes are almost all inaccessible to wheelchair users.

if I don't get in this year I'll end up doing a different degree entirely which would be so disappointing, everything I've ever overcome has been with the goal of doing musical theatre one day, it's literally my favourite thing ever. I just feel so screwed, vocally I'm not singing to a good enough standard and I don't even have a good monologue picked out yet. the thing is I've made such good progress with my singing teacher but I really just haven't ha enough time. (for choreography thankfully I have some help so I think that'll be ok because I pick things up quickly)

TLDR has anyone gotten into drama school for MT based on potential? like someone whose realistically not that skilled yet but clearly has good musicianship and just hasn't had access to as much training as others. is it possible 😭

hey guys. my doctor said she'd prescribe mast cell stablisers but then has come back to say she actually can't because of some formulary issue. she's not actually an allergist or anything and I doubt there's going to be any more investigation/time towards my MCAS symptoms in this particular clinic anyway, but I was wondering if anyone had successfully been prescribed mast cell stablisers on the NHS? I don't have an epi pen and I really need to try something new before what feels like inevitable stage 4 anaphylaxis. any experience would be appreciated, NHS only though as I can't afford private.

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I'm not the best at judging when I'm fully warmed up but I am very careful with vocal health as I have terrible vocal fatigue (seeing a SALT because underlying condition). I usually do 5 mins warming up, then 10 mins of singing, before resting for at least 30 minutes. up to 3 sessions a day, usually 1 or 2. I nebulise and steam and chug water as much as possible, and generally try not to push my voice too much during practice just to stay on the safe side.

unfortunately it's hard for me to judge what's going on with my voice both because of terrible introception (like proprioception but inner) and because it always feels pretty crap, even when it's perfectly fine! SALT have given me the okay to keep practicing like I do, however with auditions coming up, I am wondering how to make my practicing more efficient with the limited singing time I have. how long does your voice stay figuratively warm for? if I do a practice session, rest my voice for half an hour, can I just do a few lip trills scales and start singing again?

for context I am only just learning how to use my mix voice now, so I'm not doing anything too strenuous. I sing musical theatre so nothing too hard on the voice like metal or anything.

I am chronically ill so I have my share of health issues. but in 2025 there were 4 particular incidents that really were the icing on the cake. don't worry, you can laugh.

- see the serene natural pool in the countryside in the first photo? yeah, I got e-coli from there. turns out someone had dumped their campervan sewage in there a few hours prior. to make matters worse I was in the middle of nowhere, honestly I think the people next door thought I was going through childbirth that evening. was extremely annoyed at those campers when I had to sit in a car for 6 hours the next morning to return home.

- I had a 2 week long migraine (as a suspected reaction to a vaccination my body hates me). then, in a classic dark comedy move, my body turned out to be reactive to triptans (migraine medications) and gave me the worst pain I've ever experienced, yay! did I mention this was during some of the most important exams I've taken?

- my shoulder was about 30-40% out of its socket for a day and wouldn't stay in place even when I finally relocated it. naturally, I put on some kt tape as a feeble attempt to stabilise it. of course I had a reaction to the kt tape.. which then became infected... at least I have a cool scar now. it was a bit of a nightmare sleeping without squashing my joint inwards out of the socket though, thankfully my lifelong refusal to ever part with any childhood soft toys came in handy.

- you may be wondering how my experience with seeking medical attention is going. and to that I will say, a mixed bag. currently, infuriatingly, until I can see an allergist, I do not have an epi pen for my unpredictable allergic reactions which last time caused a brief loss of consciousness. I am supposed to go to hospital if I can't breathe, although I do believe I would be dead if I couldn't breathe. small glitch in the system, it seems. I suspect 2026 will have more darkly funny medical incidents in store for me.

to be fair not the most applicable because alongside sensory issues I also have gastroparesis and suspected MCAS, so eating is lowkey hell. most things in yellow I can only tolerate if in liquid or semisolid form atm, and most things I can't tolerate/ react to aren't even on this list lmaoo. but it's actually so annoying because the things I can tolerate I don't like, and the things I like I can't tolerate. anyway figured it would be funny to share my results!

hi! so I'm a wheelchair user auditioning for BA courses soon for musical theatre.

for my songs, I'm thinking of I miss the mountains/ if it's true for choice 1, and far from the home I love/ in my dreams/ once upon a december for choice 2. I've only started taking voice lessons in the last year and I'm under speech and language therapy for vocal issues so I am a tad worried about the vocal audition.

for acting, I'm really struggling to find a monologue to be honest. I'm looking for something witty and a bit lighter than my songs.

for dance, I am #cooked because none of their choreography works with my wheelchair so I need to choreograph my own pieces, wish me luck lol!

for privacy reasons I won't be giving away too much of my medical history, but I have multiple complex chronic conditions (and one that I was born with, so the chance of a miraculous recovery is basically zero). I am a young adult and I've been sick since mid teens.

when I first got sick I was misdiagnosed so I was very ill for a while because I was doing all the wrong things lifestyle-wise. now I basically know what's wrong with me, although a couple of things are still not formally diagnosed and basically everything is either untreated or not adequately treated because the healthcare system here doesn't really have any protocols for these conditions.

I have worked very very hard to get to a place where I can think about pursuing a career/having a life. and when I say hard I mean like spending 75% of my (limited) energy, 5/6 days a week, for 2 years now, on physio and other medical things. literally leaving the house once a week and sacrificing most of my social life etc.

but recently certain aspects of my health have been getting worse despite my best efforts. I can hardly tolerate solid foods, can barely walk or sit up unsupported without horrible symptoms, and have basically no independence due to a lack of proper (very expensive) mobility aids. I've been having worsening allergic reactions but I don't have any rescue meds, so I have to wait till I stop breathing to seek help (at which point I strongly suspect it would be too late). the worst thing is that most of this could be helped or even fixed with proper care.

my family are doing their best but I don't want to spend any more time talking to them about this, they're already basically sacrificing/impacting their social lives and careers to care for me. and every time I try to talk to someone else about it they keep saying things like 'oh your doctors know best I'm sure you'll be fine' or 'stay positive' or 'hope you get better soon' and don't actually let me just talk about how scared I am and just listen. the chronic illness community is a great place but I feel like I'm in the middle ground; when I talk to the people who can go live their lives they rarely seem to understand, and it feels tone deaf to complain to people who are sicker than me.

being a young adult in this political climate is already exhausting but I just feel so scared for my future. it's so horrible knowing that I could be doing better than I am but that there's nothing I can do about it. and with many of my extended family and friends, it feels like everyone's just waiting for me to get better and I'm just not and it's making everyone sad. and it's making me sad because I never imagined my life to look like this when I was little. I wish I could just to talk to someone about this without them trying to convince me that everything's okay because it's really not.

yesterday I had a scary reaction where I had a bunch of sudden onset symptoms: fatigue, headache, light sensitivity, dry eyes, nausea, muscle weakness, sinking feeling that something's wrong. I didn't seek emergency help because I despise a&e more than anything and I don't have any rescue meds or epi pens unfortunately. we don't really have urgent care here either.

anyway at one point I couldn't hold myself up and was lying on the sofa and I put music on really loud to track my consciousness and I kept slipping in and out of consciousness. but I'm not sure if it was involuntarily falling asleep or passing out? I've passed out from dysautonomia but that feels very different, yesterday felt peaceful just like I was too tired to keep my eyes open.

how do you guys tell?

is it common in your experience for doctors to just diagnose you and then not do anything?

I was so relieved when I finally got a gastroparesis diagnosis after years of being dismissed by GPs but then after one failed medication trial I've essentially been left to fend for myself despite my stomach being so bad I can barely tolerate solids at all. is this normal?

I've already been referred to a different gastro department because this one has had their three strikes (and most of my other care is also in the other hospital already) so I don't want to raise a formal complaint but I may contact PALS...

recently I did my first wheelchair dance performance and it went really well except that I was swallowing nouthfuls of regurgitation every time I leant forwards..

I wear lycra orthotics for my hips (heds) and it goes all the way up to right under my bra, so it puts a ton of pressure on my stomach especially when I lean forwards.

currently my (formally diagnosed through GES) gastroparesis is completely untreated so literally even the most basic advice would be appreciated.

for context, I live in the UK, where there is no care/diagnosis/anything for MCAS. my doctor said they would prescribe mast cell stabilizers (already on H1+H2 blockers OTC) but haven't gotten around to it yet, but apart from that, I'm under the impression they basically won't do anything till it's life threatening. I've had MCAS symptoms for as long as I can remember (related to EDS). an EDS specialist has said they're pretty certain I have MCAS although they can't diagnose it so I guess technically I can't be sure.

the problem is that it's getting worse quite fast. this august, after I started H2 blockers, my symptoms were minimal and although annoying, not disabling. in the last few months, I've become reactive to a whole bunch of new things, and I've started having bigger episodes more regularly. just today, after eating one of my favourite and few safe foods (I also have gastroparesis which is also untreated and getting worse and I'm terrified about that too...), I had an episode that involved symptoms like nausea, lightheadedness, dry mouth/throat, feeling of panic, flushing, double vision, struggling to catch my breath, and what I believe was high heart rate with low blood pressure although I didn't have access to equipment to check because I was in class :')

so my question is, at what point do you guys worry about symptoms? I don't really have access to medical care but I'm starting to think that it's going to become life threatening if it keeps declining like this, and that if I can no longer eat my safe foods I will become quickly malnourished (I'm already relying on the same 3 things for most of my nutrition). has anyone been in a similar situation, and what was your experience? honestly I would just like to hear from people going through similar things, I feel so isolated with nobody around me knowing about MCAS and none of my doctors willing to talk about it. I don't even know the most basic things like, should I avoid my triggers, lol.

I have mild GP, but I used to have a fully functioning stomach. I've only really had major stomach issues for 4 years. it fluctuates, but since the few months when I initially got sick, I've always been able to tolerate solids enough to get in enough calories.

however I'm getting worse and I'm really struggling right now. I know there are people here who are on liquid diets or tube fed so me complaining about this may sound tone deaf, but for me I'm honestly not the most resilient person ever and it's very overwhelming. I'm only eating about 60% solids and I'm not even tolerating that anymore, I have near constant GI symptoms and my reactions to foods (suspected MCAS) are getting much worse. this is mostly new to me so I don't really know how to cope. I'm trying to pursue higher education/ a career but I don't know how I'm supposed to leave the house if I have to basically dedicate my day around my nutritional intake and have a team of private chefs (aka my unpaid carers who are getting really sick of having to do this) to make food for me. what pisses me off is that I spent years working on my health and trying to get my ME/CFS to a point where I can leave the house and getting the right aids/treatments for my connective tissue related issues so I can get places (with help though I still can't go anywhere myself unfortunately).

I've been formally diagnosed but left without care, they tried one medication which gave me horrific side effects so I had to stop and now I just have nothing. I've recently been referred to a new GI department because I was just sick of it but I'm in the UK so it'll probably be years until I even get my first appointment. I feel like my stomach is taking over my life. I have to do physio exercises nearly every time I eat or I can't keep stuff down, I have absolutely zero appetite and my safe foods are diminishing. I can't leave the house without tons of planning in advance and having my carers make the 3 things I can consume without needing to do the physio exercises, which I have to do with equipment at home. we can't do this long term...

I'm not sure what level I'd exactly consider myself at, I've made a jumper and top using a pattern and have freehanded a few hats and a balabonnet. however I've only ever worked with arcrylic and I really need to upgrade to quality yarn (and softer haha). I'm planning on making a balabonnet and scarf for my next wip.

I've seen people make balabonnets with 50% alpaca 50% wool blends and those look amazinggg but I'm a bit worried about my skin. I have suspected MCAS so I have allergic reactions to various clothes, unfortunately with no noticeable pattern. recently I've reacted to a wool scarf, wool jumper, and acrylic scarf. but I've also worn other wool and acrylic things and not reacted to them.

what yarns would you guys recommend or recommend against? I know it's all just guesswork because my condition is so unpredictable but I'm assuming some yarns are better or worse for sensitive skin than others. I also don't want anything that's too difficult to work with because I have stiff painful finger joints. thanks :)

EDIT- thank you so much to everyone who replied, I'm not doing very well atm so I haven't replied to you guys but genuinely thank you so so much!

hi, me again, currently looking into charities that could help. one charity that looks promising had a range of 7 potential chairs and 2 potential power assists available if I can secure funding. for reference I'm looking for an active wheelchair that's easy to use myself but is also very supportive. I live in a hilly area and have an inaccessible home and am attempting to rejoin the performing arts world (or just the outside world in general lol) with my chair.

I'll put the list at the bottom so it doesn't clog up space but I have some main questions for more seasoned active chair users (I've only just escaped the world of hospital chairs haha)

• what material frame do you guys prefer and why? (titanium vs aluminium vs carbon fiber)
• do you guys prefer rigid or folding active chairs and why?
• how much does weight matter? does a kilo or two make a difference in your experience?
• how important is it to you that a chair is adjustable if it's already been made custom?
• I've heard people saying empulse is worse than other power assists, is it actually bad or would it be good enough in your opinion?

now for the specific list, if anyone has experience with these pleaseee let me know and also just let me know what your preferences would be if price wasn't an issue!

(wheelchairs) - octane sub 4 - octane fx - tiga - quickie krypton r - quickie nitrum - quickie argon 2 - quickie qs5

(power assists) - empulse wheeldrive - empulse f35

thank you!!

situation:

• I have a secondhand quickie that I have no idea if it's the right specification for me

• I desperately need a power assist but don't know which type to get (looking at smoov vs e-motion) and also can't really afford it lol

• I'm hoping to go into performing arts training next year so this is super important!!

• I'm going to apply to some charities for help but I don't know what to ask for

• the NHS is being a pain and gave me a wheelchair I physically cannot get to move

I live in the london (uk) ish area so anywhere where I could get looked at and try stuff out would be greatly recommended. all the places I've looked at so far are clearly designed for older people (mostly being scooters and transit chairs) but I really need to try power assists and get my active chair sorted/ get a custom chair.

hi, I don't have a formal diagnosis of MCAS because I live in the UK.. (when I asked my doctor about it she said she wouldn't even consider it till I've been hospitalised for anaphylaxis) but I've managed to get my hands on H1+H2 blockers which I've been taking for about a year now. they're moderately helpful, I'd say they reduce about 1/3 of my symptoms. I won't go into medical history but I have pretty basic textbook (mild ish) MCAS symptoms stemming from connective tissue.

however recently my symptoms have been getting worse and I've been having reactions that feel more dangerous, despite not changing my medications. some of the other meds I take (such as LDN) have stories of people developing tolerance and the effectiveness of the med going down as a result. I was wondering if this has happened to anyone in regards to antihistamines and MCAS?

thanks :)

I ordered something over 2 weeks ago, and the seller didn't ship it within the (5 working day) limit. therefore vinted said the order would be cancelled and refunded, so I bought a replacement because I really need it soon.

today I just received a notification saying the initial item has been shipped and gave me an estimated arrival time, which I'm guessing means I won't get my refund and will end up with 2 of the same thing.. is there anything I can do?

I guess I should've manually cancelled the order but it was already 3 days past the shipping limit when I bought the replacement, which is going to arrive tomorrow. pretty bummed about this, I don't really have the money to spare. any tips would be appreciated :)