I have started taking only half of my dose of Cymbalta ( generic )
today, so I can taper off of it somewhat properly with what I have left,
and quit taking it without serious side effects.
Starting to
feel it because of the weather front. Probably going to get worse over
the next few days as my body adjusts to lower dose. I apologize in
advance if I am more blah or icky or snarky or snap or have weird
emotional shifts.
Don't I need Cymbalta ( generic ) to control my Fibromyalgia and related health issues?
Yes, I do. It is what allows me to be able to "function" at all on a daily basis.
Why do I plan to stop taking it if it helps me so much?
See
my previous post for more details. I don't have $300+ a month to pay
for it, and can't keep asking my family or friends to do so for me.
Yes I have applied for medical assistance, no I have not been approved for any that offer prescription coverage.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Ember was "carded"
I actually got "carded" today for Ember.
It happened when we went to my appointment at the medical center. We checked in and were sitting in the waiting room, Ember laying quietly. A guy came out of the back area to leave, and he had a rolling walker, so I had Ember move a little so he could get by. He smiled and gave her a compliment. A woman across the room who had been there a good 10mins and hadn't noticed Ember freaked out and yelled and jumped across the room, scaring everyone in the waiting area and reception. Which got the attention of the clinic manager.
I explained Ember was a mobility assist dog. They kept asking if she was a "guide dog", so I explained she was a service dog, for mobility assist. They asked me to come to the counter after a few minutes and then the manager asked me if I had documentation for Ember. I explained I was not required to have such documentation and by federal law she was allowed to be with me, but the woman repeated herself. I explained again, and because I do carry an ID card I offered to show that, along with a card stating the ADA stature that it was not required, I was offering it voluntarily, etc.
She asked if she could take it and make a copy, and asked them to make a note in my account for future records so I wasn't bothered. It was pretty clear they had probably never heard of or seen an assistance dog aside from a guide dog, so after the appointment I requested to speak with the manager for a few minutes.
I politely explained what Ember was in more detail, offered other examples of assistance dogs, and explained how the law worked, and I offered them some resource info they could research. She admitted they'd only had guide dogs go through, and I explained that not all people carry documentation, so I had been worried they would expect the next person to have it because I did, and I didn't want them to get in trouble or another person be denied, especially another owner-trainer. They were very polite about it and thanked me because it would likely help them avoid future problems.
It makes me wonder if they would have given me a hard time if I had not had the card. I am beginning to realize just how many people here have no clue, when even community medical centers react oddly to it.
It has me wondering how much difficulty I am going to have bringing Journey to places other than pet stores ( like the mall, Home Depot, etc. ) for starting his public access exposure like I did with Ember. I really need to get his training vest so he'll be clearly identified by professional gear.
We'll see what happens.
It happened when we went to my appointment at the medical center. We checked in and were sitting in the waiting room, Ember laying quietly. A guy came out of the back area to leave, and he had a rolling walker, so I had Ember move a little so he could get by. He smiled and gave her a compliment. A woman across the room who had been there a good 10mins and hadn't noticed Ember freaked out and yelled and jumped across the room, scaring everyone in the waiting area and reception. Which got the attention of the clinic manager.
I explained Ember was a mobility assist dog. They kept asking if she was a "guide dog", so I explained she was a service dog, for mobility assist. They asked me to come to the counter after a few minutes and then the manager asked me if I had documentation for Ember. I explained I was not required to have such documentation and by federal law she was allowed to be with me, but the woman repeated herself. I explained again, and because I do carry an ID card I offered to show that, along with a card stating the ADA stature that it was not required, I was offering it voluntarily, etc.
She asked if she could take it and make a copy, and asked them to make a note in my account for future records so I wasn't bothered. It was pretty clear they had probably never heard of or seen an assistance dog aside from a guide dog, so after the appointment I requested to speak with the manager for a few minutes.
I politely explained what Ember was in more detail, offered other examples of assistance dogs, and explained how the law worked, and I offered them some resource info they could research. She admitted they'd only had guide dogs go through, and I explained that not all people carry documentation, so I had been worried they would expect the next person to have it because I did, and I didn't want them to get in trouble or another person be denied, especially another owner-trainer. They were very polite about it and thanked me because it would likely help them avoid future problems.
It makes me wonder if they would have given me a hard time if I had not had the card. I am beginning to realize just how many people here have no clue, when even community medical centers react oddly to it.
It has me wondering how much difficulty I am going to have bringing Journey to places other than pet stores ( like the mall, Home Depot, etc. ) for starting his public access exposure like I did with Ember. I really need to get his training vest so he'll be clearly identified by professional gear.
We'll see what happens.
Help Finnegan
Finnegan the sick kitten needs your help. Donate if you can! Please spread the word!
http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/finnegan-needs-your-help-/139509
http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/finnegan-needs-your-help-/139509
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Wishlist For Journey, Ember, & Cats / Fundraiser link
Amazon Wishlist for service dog stuff for Journey and Ember is
completed. They wanted to make sure their cats got what they needed too,
so we added some of their wishlist items as well.
I think we got all the important stuff on there. I will update it as necessary.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Wishlist For Journey, Ember, & Cats
Link: http://amzn.com/w/34SAJSA0H9XKZ
This Amazon Wishlist is mainly a placeholder to show the items we regularly use and need.
Please be sure to **Sort By - Priority ( high to low )** to see what is most needed.
You can probably find most of these items on www.chewy.com or similar sites if they show as "out of stock" on Amazon.
They are normally somewhat cheaper as well. Chewy offers free shipping on orders over $50, so we normally buy a bulk of things at once, but as you can see, prices add up quickly.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Here is a quick breakdown, followed by more detailed information:
1. Donations for vet expenses, training classes, and service dog harness and gear I must order myself.
2. Frontline Flea & Tick Preventative
3. Heartgard Heartworm Preventative ( for dogs and cats )
- - -
4. Food & Treats
5. Toys & Training Aids
6. Kennel / Crate
- - -
7. Gift Cards - PetSmart, PetCo, Wal-Mart or any store to be used for Dog Food, Treats, Collars, and other supplies and necessities. Always needed. Gas cards are extremely helpful too.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Our primary expense besides food, comes from veterinary care and training classes. As a service dog in training, we need to keep records and proof that Journey has received his vaccinations and met certain training requirements. Ember has her own record as well.
We also need to purchase certain service dog equipment. We do need to go ahead and get a training cape/vest for Journey and ID markers. Otherwise the rest is mobility harness related, and requires specific measurements of the dog. So these items would have to wait till Journey is full grown (not to mention full weight assist work has to wait till the growth plates close, etc ).
I am happy to share links to examples of these items by request.
I was hesitant to post links to any sources we use because of the "fake service dog" craze that has gone around, where people slap a vest/cape on their untrained pet dog to pass it off as a "service dog" just so they can take them along anywhere they go in public or to hotels, etc when traveling.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Contact Info
If you are able to purchase these items through local stores or whatever means, wish to mail "care packages", gift cards, etc. you can send such items to the following address:
Brittney Steptoe
PO Box 740354
New Orleans, LA 70174
Please note that many sites for online orders do not ship to PO boxes. If you are ordering anything directly from another site to send directly to us, and run into this problem, please contact me at leopardwolf@gmail.com for an alternate mailing address.
- - -
If you would like to contact our veterinary clinic and put a "credit" on our account that we can use for future services we need ( or if you just want reassurance it is legit ), here is the information you'd need:
Aurora Companion Animal Hospital
565 Holmes Blvd
Terrytown, LA 70056
Phone: 504-362-8060
Tell them you are wanting to put a credit for future services on Brittney Steptoe's account. They'll be able to assist you from there.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
If we receive something we cannot use ( for whatever reason ), we will donate it to one of the animal rescue organizations or shelters we volunteer with, fosters, other volunteers, or someone else in need.
Please consider donating to help and share this wishlist and the following link everywhere you can so more people can see and help.
YouCaring Fundraiser:
http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/fundraising-for-mobility-assist-service-dog/125196
Every little bit of support helps, and we are extremely thankful to everyone who has contributed and helped spread the word!
I think we got all the important stuff on there. I will update it as necessary.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Wishlist For Journey, Ember, & Cats
Link: http://amzn.com/w/34SAJSA0H9XKZ
This Amazon Wishlist is mainly a placeholder to show the items we regularly use and need.
Please be sure to **Sort By - Priority ( high to low )** to see what is most needed.
You can probably find most of these items on www.chewy.com or similar sites if they show as "out of stock" on Amazon.
They are normally somewhat cheaper as well. Chewy offers free shipping on orders over $50, so we normally buy a bulk of things at once, but as you can see, prices add up quickly.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Here is a quick breakdown, followed by more detailed information:
1. Donations for vet expenses, training classes, and service dog harness and gear I must order myself.
2. Frontline Flea & Tick Preventative
3. Heartgard Heartworm Preventative ( for dogs and cats )
- - -
4. Food & Treats
5. Toys & Training Aids
6. Kennel / Crate
- - -
7. Gift Cards - PetSmart, PetCo, Wal-Mart or any store to be used for Dog Food, Treats, Collars, and other supplies and necessities. Always needed. Gas cards are extremely helpful too.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Our primary expense besides food, comes from veterinary care and training classes. As a service dog in training, we need to keep records and proof that Journey has received his vaccinations and met certain training requirements. Ember has her own record as well.
We also need to purchase certain service dog equipment. We do need to go ahead and get a training cape/vest for Journey and ID markers. Otherwise the rest is mobility harness related, and requires specific measurements of the dog. So these items would have to wait till Journey is full grown (not to mention full weight assist work has to wait till the growth plates close, etc ).
I am happy to share links to examples of these items by request.
I was hesitant to post links to any sources we use because of the "fake service dog" craze that has gone around, where people slap a vest/cape on their untrained pet dog to pass it off as a "service dog" just so they can take them along anywhere they go in public or to hotels, etc when traveling.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Contact Info
If you are able to purchase these items through local stores or whatever means, wish to mail "care packages", gift cards, etc. you can send such items to the following address:
Brittney Steptoe
PO Box 740354
New Orleans, LA 70174
Please note that many sites for online orders do not ship to PO boxes. If you are ordering anything directly from another site to send directly to us, and run into this problem, please contact me at leopardwolf@gmail.com for an alternate mailing address.
- - -
If you would like to contact our veterinary clinic and put a "credit" on our account that we can use for future services we need ( or if you just want reassurance it is legit ), here is the information you'd need:
Aurora Companion Animal Hospital
565 Holmes Blvd
Terrytown, LA 70056
Phone: 504-362-8060
Tell them you are wanting to put a credit for future services on Brittney Steptoe's account. They'll be able to assist you from there.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
If we receive something we cannot use ( for whatever reason ), we will donate it to one of the animal rescue organizations or shelters we volunteer with, fosters, other volunteers, or someone else in need.
Please consider donating to help and share this wishlist and the following link everywhere you can so more people can see and help.
YouCaring Fundraiser:
http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/fundraising-for-mobility-assist-service-dog/125196
Every little bit of support helps, and we are extremely thankful to everyone who has contributed and helped spread the word!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Dog Stuff, Medical Stuff, Random Thoughts
I am so sore today after several days of physical work
around the house/yard and shopping back to back. The rainy weather front
moving through is aggravating my Fibro and sinus, but at least I got
the shopping done. Thank goodness for EBT or I wouldn't have had any way
to afford the groceries.
While Ember and I were out
today, we had lots of curious people approach us to inquire about
service dogs. They were all very polite and sincere, which is always refreshing.
We stopped and chatted with one nice woman for a little while and I
released Ember to say hello. The woman shared a very emotional story
about one of her own dogs who crossed the rainbow bridge, and Ember
sensed how upset she was and wanted to comfort her. Fuzzy therapy is the best kind.
I have to see a new doctor yet again because this "coverage" they stuck me with isn't accepted by the place I first went to in New Orleans. I was supposed to go two weeks ago, but the freakish freezing weather here literally close everything down. I have a new appointment next week, and hopefully I can also get a referral to *finally* get my wrist looked at and x-rayed and hope this "coverage" actually covers the radiology. I am worried about copays for both. I am really, really missing Minnesota Care right now. But my wrist is still bothering me, and while it is better than it was, there's no reason I should still be feeling these sharp stabbing pains and aching and have difficulty lifting and manipulating/turning things after this long.
I still haven't been able to properly sculpt or do fine detail jewelry because of the pain and my wrist locking up from the strain. About the only thing that has returned to fairly normal is typing ability. But lifting a gallon of milk or a grocery bag, and aaaangry. I have made the mistake of trying to hold Journey's leash with that hand without thinking on several occasions, and damn does that hurt when he decides to tug suddenly. Here's to hoping there's nothing seriously wrong with it, and that I won't end up needing surgery.
He has his next vet appointment and round of shots Wednesday, so I need to come up with $65 for that by then.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Puppy humor
Sharing some puppy humor from last night.
= = =
Me: So, Journey was sound asleep, and must have been dreaming. Because next thing I knew, I hear a trickle, and him yarp in surprise.
Mike: He wet the bed?!
Me: YES
Mike: LMFAO
Me: Hahaahaa. I have never, ever had a dog or cat do that before.
Mike: That's hilarious. Hopefully not a problem, but, funny. Dreaming of trees and fire hydrants!
Me: I'm glad you think so! You can come bathe him!
Mike: I'll be right there! :-P
Me: Oh gods, wait till I tell everyone about this. His first major accident too.Me: So, Journey was sound asleep, and must have been dreaming. Because next thing I knew, I hear a trickle, and him yarp in surprise.
Mike: He wet the bed?!
Me: YES
Mike: LMFAO
Me: Hahaahaa. I have never, ever had a dog or cat do that before.
Mike: That's hilarious. Hopefully not a problem, but, funny. Dreaming of trees and fire hydrants!
Me: I'm glad you think so! You can come bathe him!
Mike: I'll be right there! :-P
= = =
Thursday, February 6, 2014
The Elder Scrolls Online
So excited! I love the game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to death, and
now Mike and I are participating in "The Elder Scrolls Online" Beta.
Really looking forward to an MMO in this world setting. Interested in
trying it with us? Drop me a line!
Quick update, puppy stuff
Been sick with a Fibro flare and not on here much recently. Dealing with unnecessary negativity from people around me
that keeps tearing away at what bit of good mood I have managed to pull
myself into. I bristle my fur and let it roll off, distancing myself
from such behavior as much as I can.
Journey
is growing so fast. He's a funny pup. Watching his personality develop
is a joy. We're working on the basics in training. He is curious and
eager to learn. Watching him and Ember wrestle and play is a delight. I
hope to have some pictures and video to share at some point.
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