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Belasco

@belasco.bsky.social

1.2K followers 710 following 2.9K posts

Queer disabled nerd trapped in Texas

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · Jan 18

It was suggested I do an intro post:
I’m a disabled middle-aged nonbinary queer liberal, happily married to my best friend since ‘95, & a parent of 4 adults.
I’m a gamer, LOVE learning, Episcopalian, & open to questions/convo.
DMs are open w/a no creep/crypto/maga policy
I ❤️ the block feature!

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Reposted by Belasco

Laura Jedeed @laurajedeed.bsky.social · 7h

I am so fucking proud of the place I lived for ten years. This is the best of the city, this is the heart and the goodness of it and I'm so glad

Courtney Vaughn @courtneyvaughn.bsky.social · 1d

Streets are still closed off in front of the Portland ICE facility at 8:30pm. Protesters have gathered on a side street. Dance party in progress.

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 5h

risk of side effects than actual opioids (it isn’t one.) Over 18yrs I tried several antidepressants that are supposed to help & none did, some made it worse, maybe that’s just me 🤷 Watching my electrolytes w/my dr’s help & making adjustments had some benefit.
Mostly, it’s just really hard.

Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 5h

usually a bad idea. Things that help circulation, like hot baths & heating pads can help.
Meds: I was very skeptical of low dose naltrexone (LDN), but after getting it for long covid it’s made a big difference in my FM symptoms. PRN tramadol also helps me, but isn’t for everyone & has a higher

Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 5h

If you’re not at risk for PEM (no ME/cfs or you’re good at pacing) movement helps. Not necessarily exercising, but moving even when it’s counter intuitive. If it makes the pain worse, stop.
Massage can be hugely beneficial, but it takes some trial & error to find the right depth - deep tissue is

Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 7h

Dog is fine, came when he was called once we found him & is now taking turns being velcro’d to Spouse & me.

I am flat. We live very near a busy rural highway, & it’s brutal when the adrenaline rush wears off!

Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 7h

Soooo, my dog got out

Screenshot from the Visible App
PacePoints
9.6/5

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 7h

Professional haircut achieved!
I went super short 😁
It was so nice to meet someone new outside of a dr’s office, & who understands #pwlc & #pwme! The stylist said she’d be happy to come back out whenever. I was completely relaxed w/ her, & we all had a great time.
It sounded like our house used to 💜

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 9h

Pumpkin bread number 8 in 2 weeks!

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 11h

*when fully vaxed your viral shed is usually much lower than it is with unvaxed ppl.

Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 11h

Even going back to cloth masks they may have around helps. If folk live in a blue area there ate often resources for free masks.

The fearful truth is - the vax doesn’t give much protection from long covid, it keeps ppl from dying or having severe C19 infections but you can still catch & spread it*

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 11h

#chronicillness
#spoonies
#pwme
#pwlc

Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 14h

If you've fallen down inflammation-type wellness circle rabbit holes, hmu for a @motherjones.com essay I'm working on. My email is [email protected]. I can you your first name only.

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 12h

Definitely possible. The what-ifs are part of what keeps me going.
I’m 51, I’ve been sick for about half of my life & I still want to see what’s around the next corner & over the next hill. Maybe it’s more hills & corners, but what if one day it’s a real step forward. I want a chance to see that.

Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 13h

Maybe this will be the version of this headline that becomes reality, but I’m not holding my breath.

Having had ME for 20yrs I’ve seen a whole lotta “this is the study!” headlines only to watch them recede back into the dim mists where they frequently add to hoards that end with “in mice.”

Lucibee @lucibee.bsky.social · 15h

I don't understand (well, I do, but... yeah) why folks are talking this research down.

I think it's very positive.

All parties (particularly competitors 👀) should be cheering everyone else on and moving forward with *treatments*.

#MECFS

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Scientists develop first ‘accurate blood test’ to detect chronic fatigue syndrome

Research could offer hope for ME patients – but some experts urge caution and say more studies needed

www.theguardian.com

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 14h

Oof.

That’s a rough spot to be in. I hope you’re able to recover in between your trips, though I know it doesn’t always work out that way 🫤

Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 14h

Here’s hoping you can get things knocked out in whichever way is best for you!

In my case, I’ve got all of my traveling to the big city & testing stuff lined up over 4 days, including travel, which is what works for me even though it’s going to be brutal.
It’s reasonably not everybody’s cup of tea!

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 14h

How to get ready for a house guest when you have #me/cfs &/or #longcovid:
2 days of focused rest before
Night before bathe & consider clothes
Brush teeth day of (🤞)
Rest
PJ removal
Rest
Apply 1st bit of clothing
Rest, clothes, rest - repeat until dressed
Brush hair
Eat?
Rest until guest’s arrival

Reposted by Belasco

Bateman Horne Center @batemanhornecenter.bsky.social · 15h

“If everyday tasks like standing in line or taking a shower leave you dizzy, exhausted, or foggy, you’re not alone.”
— Melanie Hoppers, MD

OI & #POTS is common in #MECFS & #LongCOVID. Learn signs + management tips: https://bit.ly/4eLc3eY

#POTSAwarenessMonth #UnitedForME

Woman leaning against a wall with her hand on her forehead, appearing fatigued. Text reads: "Living with Orthostatic Intolerance (OI)."

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Brendel @brendelbored.bsky.social · 1d

I think something we have to do more of is talk about how kickass a lot of American cities are because right now some people think they’re run by Sharia Law nudists and most of us never thought to counter that argument because it’s stupid and doesn’t make any sense

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 1d

BEST BIG CITY IN THE US 9 YEARS IN A ROW.

While critics try to paint Chicago as something to fear, the rest of the world knows the truth — this is the best big city in America.

Best Big City: Chicago Wins Award 9th Year in a Row

Learn why Chicago was voted the Best Big City for the 9th consecutive year by exploring our vibrant culture, welcoming inclusion, and so much more.

www.choosechicago.com

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Chronic Illness Humor @chronicillness.bsky.social · 22h

"Pain's only temporary."
ME: Thanks. I'll tell my chronic pain that.

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 15h

Yeeeaaah, I really should’ve kept this law of chronic illness in mind yesterday.
I did both yesterday, & today, well….send thoughts & prayers

Chronic Illness Humor @chronicillness.bsky.social · 19h

I can either take a shower or respond to an email. Just not on the same day.

Reposted by Belasco

Chronic Illness Humor @chronicillness.bsky.social · 18h

substitutes for a healthy diet:

Noodles- -Zucchini
Chips - Carrots

Milk- Coconut Milk

Rice - Cauliflower

Butter -Sadness

Sugar - A Broken Heart

Cheese - Nope

Coffee- This is stupid and not doing it.

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 1d

up - head over heart height at minimum. Anything you can do to relax neck & shoulder muscles without promoting more blood in your head is also good. Light limb massage can sometimes help.

Fingers & toes crossed it doesn’t cross the line into migraine territory

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 1d

My best ones are prescriptions (Ubrelvy & a muscle relaxer)
Before I got meds that work I’d use a cold towel on the back of my neck or forehead & eyes. I’ve used putting my feet in & out of a 1min cold plunge (theory is it boosts circulation & helps vasodilation) w/? success. Be sure to stay propped

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Laura Jedeed @laurajedeed.bsky.social · 1d

Just heard someone say that if you aren't willing to get arrested or die at a protest you aren't serious about the cause and that's a) not true and b) not helpful

You don't need to have a death wish to fight for a better world, and anyone who says you do is throwing up a massive red flag

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Belasco @belasco.bsky.social · 1d

I’m having one of those “man, it was nice when we were empty nesters” days

I know I’ll feel differently later, I always do. It’s super rare to feel like this longer than an hour or two but today’s been a lot & it’s a day when my health needed it not to be a lot…