so i have stage 2 endometriosis, right? right. and ive been on some level of estrogen suppression for just about 4 years now i think. (ive been on hormone management for just shy of 6 years).
this has led to medically induced menopause. which includes heat flashes. except lately, my body has chosen to in a constant state of Very Warm to the point it is physically uncomfortable and i cannot sleep.
POTS might also be playing a role here, unclear. but the main culprit is the no estrogen in my system. and normally the solution to menopause is adding in estrogen. but i cant do that because then id be back in square one and also in horrid pain all the time.
does anyone have anything that helps keep them cool in the face of hormone imbalance? its in the 50° - 60°F (10°-15°C) range in san francisco, and i am genuinely suffering. i am afraid for when it get to the 80s and 90s in the summer. (26-32°c)
This is honestly the best way I've found to explain POTS to people who don't absorb medical information well. Unfortunately, I have to portray myself as William Afton to get my point across.
Springlock suit.
We are constantly inside a springlock suit.
During the day, when we are wearing compression gear, hydrating, intaking sodium and electrolytes, taking medication, regulating our body temperature, taking breaks, eating smaller meals, managing our diet; all of those symptom management tools are metaphorically winding the springs inside the springlock suit to keep the animatronic parts coiled back.
But if we move too much, if we get hurt, if we neglect to manage our symptoms, aka not winding the springs, we flare. The springs snap back and impale us with metal from every possible location on our body, and we get stuck for an extended period of time.
My friends don't really do well with medical terminology, and we all tend to find it a bit depressing, so this metaphor seems to help. If they ask how I'm doing today and I send a picture of Springtrap, they know I'm really going through it.
Just a heads up to all my mutuals and followers I’ve been hospitalized since Tuesday 10/28/25. Not sure when I’m getting out yet but hoping this upcoming week.
I ended up having a fainting episode due to my POTS and hit my head on the floor. I’ve had a CAT scan to make sure there was no bleeding on the brain. (Scan was negative) I’m now just waiting on one more head scan that will be done either Monday or Tuesday. I’ve also been treated for my POTS with lots of IV fluids, rest, and meds.
Hi, my name is Brooke and I've been recently diagnosed with Post Orthostatic Tachycard… Brooke Hellier needs your support for Help Brooke Mo
Hi, my name is Brooke (my birth name, Sora is my online alias!) and I've been recently diagnosed with Post Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (or POTS for short). I am also currently waiting for an appointment with a rheumatologist to address other medical concerns I have that are still undiagnosed.
I have had POTS symptoms for years, but they were relatively mild up until earlier this year. From February to now (9/30/2025) I have rapidly grown more and more disabled. While there are lifestyle changes and some medications you can take to help the symptoms of POTS, there is no cure. To put it simply, basic tasks for me such as short walks and even taking a shower can feel like I've run a marathon. My heart pounds out of my chest, I get short of breath, and sometimes I feel close to fainting. I have obtained a handicap placard and purchased different mobility aids to help me remain independent, but there is one obstacle that I cannot overcome on my own: the stairs.
When I moved into my current apartment in 2020, the stairs were merely an inconvenience sometimes while I had groceries or other heavy objects. In 2025, these stairs are a constant threat to my health and safety. On a good day, the stairs will make me out of breath. On a bad day, I have to take multiple breaks to make sure I don't feel like I'm going to fall and either break bones or knock myself unconscious with a head injury. In early September of 2025, I had a flare up of unknown origins that made my knees and ankles hurt so badly that I could not walk and I felt trapped. I thankfully managed to make it to the ER, but I do not want to feel that fear again if possible.
I live paycheck to paycheck, especially now that I've had to cut down my hours at work due to my constant health issues and medical appointments to address them. And between my constant appointments with my primary doctors, specialists, and now several ER visits, my medical debt is adding up quickly. I have also accumulated a fair amount of regular debt buying myself aids in order to accomplish life necessities & basic chores around my apartment. And while my parents would love to be able to help, they are also disabled and have little to no money.
So this is why I am reaching out to you all. I absolutely need to move out of my 2nd story apartment in order to better accommodate my safety and health, but I fear I am not going to have the funds before my lease runs out. If we could raise enough to tackle some of my medical debt on top of that, it would be amazing but honestly I will take whatever help I can get. Donations would go towards the deposit(s) and the cost of hiring a moving company to help load and unload my furniture and belongings into the new apartment as well as any travel expenses they may require (gas costs, etc). I plan to stay relatively local (about 30 minutes away) so it shouldn't be too astronomical but I also have not asked for a quote as of yet.
Thank you for reading and again, anything helps. Even if you can just share.
