My name is CannaVet, and I receive TDIU but am rated naturally at 70%. I was banned from the main veteran subreddit years ago for showing disdain for fascist policies and hope to build a more equitable community here accepting of all flavors of vet.
Share your stories, your struggles, your memories, here with others who can relate. Hope to hear from you all! <3
Hello! I’m the same as you. I’m rated 70% for “persistent depressive disorder with major depressive episodes and stress induced anxiety”, but I’m on TDIU as well. I only posted occasionally on Reddit because it never fails people just wanted to argue or play devils advocate all the time. I found it impossible to have an actual conversation every. But I lurked a lot, mostly for news, entertainment, and stuff about my hobbies and interests. I’m finding it much more comfortable here so far and don’t think I will be going back.
Honestly, I’m struggling right now. I’m so grateful for getting TDIU, because it feels like my body had just been holding on until I was financially able to deal with medical issues, because once I got it last November, my body is falling apart. I’ve been dealing with diabetes for the past few years and just getting worse. I’ve had debilitating side effects with every medication and insulin is just not working for me. My blood sugars have been super high since I was diagnosed. I finally was able to see an Endocronologist and I’m working towards getting bariatric surgery sometime in the next few months, but it’s been a struggle. The local VA clinic didn’t have an Endo, so the pharmacist was just prescribing me different meds and higher doses, and then eventually insulin. I’m taking incredibly high amounts of insulin right now just to get my sugars partially in check. I didn’t know I was supposed to see an Endo until it was too late and neuropathy has taken over my whole body. It’s also made my carpal tunnel unbearable and right now I’m an just in constant pain and have been since the holidays. Also have lower back issues that keeps me from doing much of anything due to the pain. I’m just stressed and overloaded and really just need a break.
I’ve been managing the depression through therapy and meds but it’s getting harder and harder and I’m finding the invasive thoughts creeping in more and more. I don’t want to kill myself but man I don’t want to live anymore. It takes everything in me to just get up every day. I have zero energy and just walking around feels like I’m using every ounce of strength I have. I just want some relief. They found tons of stomach ulcers when looking in my stomach as one of the prerequisites for surgery and I’ve been on antibiotics for a month to get rid of those. Everything has just zapped me of motivation and energy and I find myself just laying on the floor trying to keep going. I’m dealing but it’s so hard sometimes.
Sorry for the huge post. This is supposed to be a welcome thing. I guess I just needed to get the feelings out. Thanks for listening whoever reads this!
That’s why we’re here mate. Welcome! I’m sorry you’re having such a rough go of it, I understand how medical issues can make it hard to see a reason to go on.
I know it seems like an overplayed suggestion but have you tried cannabis and/or mushrooms? Cannabis is 100% medicinal without side effects for alot of my mood bullshit, and one good mushroom trip years ago sliced my anger issues in half to this day.
I believe in you, buddy! :)
Thanks! I’m still here and it’s a struggle but somehow I keep pushing. Therapy has been the biggest help. And my wonderful girlfriend who has done so much to take care of me. I live in a cannabis legal state but I’ve just never enjoyed it myself. Makes me feel paranoid and not in control. Which is so weird because I used to self medicate with alcohol and that actually made me out of control lol. Unfortunately I’m super limited on what I can have nowadays in prep for the bariatric surgery.
Oooooh shit I’m about to blow your mind dude…
I am 100% the same way with weed. Loved it as a kid, even 5 years ago… nowadays I don’t want all that anxiety / panic shit. So, I stumbled upon what’s called "type 2 trees " over on spez’s piggybank*.
There are a few growers who ONLY grow mixed ratio flower. Like 1:1 or 3:1 CBD:THC and it is absolutely phenomenal. Plus, get this, it’s all covered under the 2018 farm bill, and you can get it shipped by the USPS legally!!
I’m dying to find a type 2 trees clone over here and I might just start one myself. .
If you are interested, hit me up I can answer any questions you have about it. It’s truly medicinal in every aspect compared to these super strong 28% THC claiming the same thing.
Oh that is interesting. I’ll look into it. I’ve tried CBD but it makes me feel weird too. I’ll probably wait until after this surgery because it’s gonna change a ton about my nutrition and stuff, but I’ll definitely look into it. Thanks a lot!
What kind of CBD did you try? Full spectrum can get some people stoned but the broad spectrum and isolates/ extracts don’t.
Gosh, I don’t know. It was a few years ago and just some gummies my wife at the time bought, ha.
Man that sounds rough! Has the VA offered community care referrals to you? Sounds like you might benefit from that idk
Also, what is TDIU? First time I’ve seen that.
Total Disability: Individual Unemployability.
TL;DR: You don’t qualify for 100% but we recognize that you’re too fucked to work. Get 95% of the benefits of 100% but can drop back to real rating if you go back to work and pass the poverty line.
Ahhh gotcha I never saw the acronym but I’m tracking that. Thanks!
Yeah I’m currently seeing community for PT for my back. Just started actually. And for possibly getting carpal tunnel surgery. It’s just always a huge hassle trying to get them to actually put the referral in. They act like they are paying for it themselves a lot of the time and won’t push forward until I keep pestering them.
That’s a shame. I’ve had some referrals just disappear though, at least yours are sticking. Keep fighting the good fight, I hope you get all the care you need.
Thank you!
Reddit refugee here!
Howdy neighbor!
I got rated at 60% disabled, because I did a second claim and good ol VA math knocked me down…
I fell off that sub a while ago myself. Kind of fell out of love with keeping up with the community I guess idk
It was great for information and such, but their big “no politics” rule really means “no opposing politics” lol
Ah I hadn’t noticed that rule there but I kind of dipped out a while ago. I was just there for the memes and jokes myself. Kind of grew out of it over the years though.
Hey! 100% P&T here. Kinda looking to move off of Reddit. Haven’t even been 100% for a year yet and it still feels surreal. I was able to retire from the job that was going to kill me (law enforcement) not from action but from stress.
Now I’m looking to get educated on something or maybe start my own private weather business for professional fantasy sports players lol.
Welcome and good luck!
I worked hard to fit my expenses to my budget so I just fuck off and call it retired 😂
Reddit Refugees Unite
Welcome friend!
I got banned years back because I drunkenly called out a malingering PSG by name. Never got a second chance.
If I may ask, what happened on that other site? Which sub?
It’s not worth discussing. I’m not interested in dredging up Reddit drama here in the new world lmao
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