Y'all, my PMS makes my anxiety spike every month. And I'm really proud of myself for actually tracking it and realizing it's a period thing, so I can (try to) talk myself through it when it hits every month. But this is mostly some hormonal bullshit and it needs to go away. Bah.

Can I whine for a minute in here? I don't know how people who have chronic pain cope. I've been dealing with shingles for less than a week and I could barely get out of bed this morning. It hurts to wear clothes. It hurts to not wear clothes (TMI whitefonted one of the rash clusters is on/under my right boob, so if I wear a bra, it hurts because of the pressure, and if I don't wear a bra, it hurts because my boobs are heavy) . I'm allergic to codeine and vicodin gives me nausea. (And my doctor's office is closed today anyway so I'm stuck with ibuprofen until I can get an appointment.) . The painkiller that seems to work best is muttering "motherfucker" under my breath whenever I have to move any part of my upper body. I can't get to sleep because there is no way to lie down that's not putting pressure on the rash. (Ibuprofen PM has been helping there, but only just barely. I tried using ice packs to numb the pain, but that just made me cold.)

Oh, man, Jess, that does sound miserable. I have no useful things to say, but you certainly have my sympathy.

Shingles is a miserable thing. And I hear you on the chronic pain thing. I can't take most painkillers, and am a big baby. Not a good combo. Grateful that I haven't needed to take them often.

Shingles is miserable (nothing new, just agreeing). I haven't had it, but I know it's bad. Jess, could you get a supportive camisole of some sort? I resorted to those when I badly bruised my ribs and they helped. I sort of bounced more than I like but it was something.

I'm sorry, Jess. That sounds super-miserable.

Dear body, you just had lunch. You are not hungry, even though work and the internet are stressing you out. No, a cookie would not make it better. Not really. Even though you would cut a bitch for some chocolate right now.

No, a cookie would not make it better. Not really. Even though you would cut a bitch for some chocolate right now.

Seriously, I just downed a grapefruit and a bunch of strawberries to keep from M&Ms.

Thanks guys. On top of everything else, I've been trying so hard not to put pressure on the shingles that I managed to pinch a nerve on the other side of my back, which is making it SUPER AWESOME every time I have to move my head or stand up. Fuck bodies, man. I'm ready to be a head in a jar with wifi access.

I need a new swimsuit for the beach, and OH. MY. GOD. [link]

(Tim's reaction was "Buy that. NOW.")