The Real McCoy
@rippermd41.bsky.social
My life runs by the Murphy’s Law of illness: If something can go wrong, it will go wrong. Latest one is #MECFS but the laundry list is long. Live in New England
Pinned
The Real McCoy
@rippermd41.bsky.social
· Nov 10
New followers here’s an intro on me and what I post about:
I have #SevereMECFS and am housebound. (It sucks)
I have an MD, but don’t practice medicine. Other health problems took me out during residency. (Seriously, my life follows Murphy’s Law)
I have #SevereMECFS and am housebound. (It sucks)
I have an MD, but don’t practice medicine. Other health problems took me out during residency. (Seriously, my life follows Murphy’s Law)
Reposted by The Real McCoy
This, from @alexanderchee.bsky.social, is so much what I want for the Long Covid and ME/CFS movements…
From: querent.substack.com/p/he-loves-n...
From: querent.substack.com/p/he-loves-n...
November 11, 2025 at 6:13 AM
This, from @alexanderchee.bsky.social, is so much what I want for the Long Covid and ME/CFS movements…
From: querent.substack.com/p/he-loves-n...
From: querent.substack.com/p/he-loves-n...
Reposted by The Real McCoy
She doesn't know why. I'm getting pretty tired of bluesky moderation without explanation.
November 11, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Another quote on #MECFS this time from Clare Francis in 1987:
"I had no warning and, over the period of a week, I was reduced to a state of such exhaustion that I knew something desperate had happened. The best description I can give is that it was like having lead in my veins."
1/
"I had no warning and, over the period of a week, I was reduced to a state of such exhaustion that I knew something desperate had happened. The best description I can give is that it was like having lead in my veins."
1/
On this day thirty-eight years ago. The Independent, UK. 9th November 1987. #mecfs #cfsme #myalgicencephalomyelitis #myalgice
November 11, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Another quote on #MECFS this time from Clare Francis in 1987:
"I had no warning and, over the period of a week, I was reduced to a state of such exhaustion that I knew something desperate had happened. The best description I can give is that it was like having lead in my veins."
1/
"I had no warning and, over the period of a week, I was reduced to a state of such exhaustion that I knew something desperate had happened. The best description I can give is that it was like having lead in my veins."
1/
Reposted by The Real McCoy
"On the eve of Veterans Day, we should also remember the fact that over 1 million veterans actually participate in SNAP." - Crystal Fitzsimmons, Food Research and Action Center
November 10, 2025 at 7:14 PM
"On the eve of Veterans Day, we should also remember the fact that over 1 million veterans actually participate in SNAP." - Crystal Fitzsimmons, Food Research and Action Center
Reposted by The Real McCoy
I received this email about Democrats caving to end the shutdown from one of the SNAP recipients I spoke to:
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I received this email about Democrats caving to end the shutdown from one of the SNAP recipients I spoke to:
Reposted by The Real McCoy
Sign up for these 2 workshops for #caregivers.
1. Nov. 16 @ 3 pm ET: 10 Lessons from 20 Years of Caregiving — Kim Moya
ow.ly/gtAP50XlbZb
2. Nov. 22 @ 3 pm ET: Chronic Illness Caregiving for Youth, Teen, & Adult Children — Denise Lopez-Majano ow.ly/3IcV50XlbZh
#pwME #ChronicIllness
1. Nov. 16 @ 3 pm ET: 10 Lessons from 20 Years of Caregiving — Kim Moya
ow.ly/gtAP50XlbZb
2. Nov. 22 @ 3 pm ET: Chronic Illness Caregiving for Youth, Teen, & Adult Children — Denise Lopez-Majano ow.ly/3IcV50XlbZh
#pwME #ChronicIllness
November 10, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Sign up for these 2 workshops for #caregivers.
1. Nov. 16 @ 3 pm ET: 10 Lessons from 20 Years of Caregiving — Kim Moya
ow.ly/gtAP50XlbZb
2. Nov. 22 @ 3 pm ET: Chronic Illness Caregiving for Youth, Teen, & Adult Children — Denise Lopez-Majano ow.ly/3IcV50XlbZh
#pwME #ChronicIllness
1. Nov. 16 @ 3 pm ET: 10 Lessons from 20 Years of Caregiving — Kim Moya
ow.ly/gtAP50XlbZb
2. Nov. 22 @ 3 pm ET: Chronic Illness Caregiving for Youth, Teen, & Adult Children — Denise Lopez-Majano ow.ly/3IcV50XlbZh
#pwME #ChronicIllness
Reposted by The Real McCoy
The Edge of Space-Time is coming! You should preorder it -- look at what THE Ed Yong had to say about it:
“With this extraordinary book, Prescod-Weinstein cements her status as one of the most accomplished and important science writers of our time; as polymath, griot, teacher, and more; (1/2)
“With this extraordinary book, Prescod-Weinstein cements her status as one of the most accomplished and important science writers of our time; as polymath, griot, teacher, and more; (1/2)
November 10, 2025 at 6:41 PM
The Edge of Space-Time is coming! You should preorder it -- look at what THE Ed Yong had to say about it:
“With this extraordinary book, Prescod-Weinstein cements her status as one of the most accomplished and important science writers of our time; as polymath, griot, teacher, and more; (1/2)
“With this extraordinary book, Prescod-Weinstein cements her status as one of the most accomplished and important science writers of our time; as polymath, griot, teacher, and more; (1/2)
Reposted by The Real McCoy
Same as they did to force people to go back to work while still sick and contagious with covid
How long till we learn American, United & Delta worked the phones on Senate Dems?
November 10, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Same as they did to force people to go back to work while still sick and contagious with covid
Reposted by The Real McCoy
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
Reposted by The Real McCoy
We...desperately need more low-income people in Congress who know what it's like to navigate health insurance problems. But we live in an ableist society where it's hard for younger disabled and chronically ill politicians to get elected.
November 10, 2025 at 3:18 AM
We...desperately need more low-income people in Congress who know what it's like to navigate health insurance problems. But we live in an ableist society where it's hard for younger disabled and chronically ill politicians to get elected.
Someone just reminded me.
Shaheen is retiring.
But her daughter, Stefany Shaheen, is running for NH’s 1st congressional district currently represented by Pappas.
Stefany claims to be a “fierce fighter for medical research” and healthcare. Wonder what she thinks of her mom’s vote.
Shaheen is retiring.
But her daughter, Stefany Shaheen, is running for NH’s 1st congressional district currently represented by Pappas.
Stefany claims to be a “fierce fighter for medical research” and healthcare. Wonder what she thinks of her mom’s vote.
Shaheen: So let me be clear. No one in the senate chamber wants to extend the ACA tax credits more than I do.
November 10, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Someone just reminded me.
Shaheen is retiring.
But her daughter, Stefany Shaheen, is running for NH’s 1st congressional district currently represented by Pappas.
Stefany claims to be a “fierce fighter for medical research” and healthcare. Wonder what she thinks of her mom’s vote.
Shaheen is retiring.
But her daughter, Stefany Shaheen, is running for NH’s 1st congressional district currently represented by Pappas.
Stefany claims to be a “fierce fighter for medical research” and healthcare. Wonder what she thinks of her mom’s vote.
Reposted by The Real McCoy
Just imagining the meeting where they must have been like “they might cancel my flight? Time to kill the sick.”
November 10, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Just imagining the meeting where they must have been like “they might cancel my flight? Time to kill the sick.”
Reposted by The Real McCoy
You’re trash @shaheen.senate.gov and this will be your legacy
Shaheen: So let me be clear. No one in the senate chamber wants to extend the ACA tax credits more than I do.
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 AM
You’re trash @shaheen.senate.gov and this will be your legacy
Reposted by The Real McCoy
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Reposted by The Real McCoy
Kaine, who has experienced Long Covid, is abandoning those with Long Covid who have to work as contractors who are too sick to work full-time.
Rosen makes 7 Dem Caucus yes votes, joining ->
Cortez Masto
Shaheen
Hassan
Durbin
Kaine
King
If Fetterman is here and full GOP attendance minus Rand, gets to 60
Cortez Masto
Shaheen
Hassan
Durbin
Kaine
King
If Fetterman is here and full GOP attendance minus Rand, gets to 60
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Kaine, who has experienced Long Covid, is abandoning those with Long Covid who have to work as contractors who are too sick to work full-time.
Reposted by The Real McCoy
Senate Democrats voting to dismantle the ACA to avoid any problems with their Thanksgiving travel is tragically on brand.
November 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Senate Democrats voting to dismantle the ACA to avoid any problems with their Thanksgiving travel is tragically on brand.
Reposted by The Real McCoy
NEW HAMPSHIRE: HASSAN AND SHAHEEN ARE BOTH ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT DEFECTING
CALL NOW
(202) 224-3324 (Hassan)
(202) 224-2841 (Shaheen)
LEAVE VOICEMAILS #NHPoli #NHPolitics
CALL NOW
(202) 224-3324 (Hassan)
(202) 224-2841 (Shaheen)
LEAVE VOICEMAILS #NHPoli #NHPolitics
If you have a Dem senator and you're seeing this right now, CALL THEM RIGHT NOW and tell them NO. If you don't know anyone who would be affected by this, call them for my friend Lisa. She cannot afford insurance without ACA subsidies and without health insurance I'm terrified she will die.
! A key group of Senate Democrats is leaning toward voting for a deal to end the shutdown, provided final details can be worked out like worker protections (Gift link)
(Deal does NOT include an ACA extension.)
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
(Deal does NOT include an ACA extension.)
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 9, 2025 at 11:33 PM
NEW HAMPSHIRE: HASSAN AND SHAHEEN ARE BOTH ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT DEFECTING
CALL NOW
(202) 224-3324 (Hassan)
(202) 224-2841 (Shaheen)
LEAVE VOICEMAILS #NHPoli #NHPolitics
CALL NOW
(202) 224-3324 (Hassan)
(202) 224-2841 (Shaheen)
LEAVE VOICEMAILS #NHPoli #NHPolitics
Reposted by The Real McCoy
We need a new Senate Minority Leader. Schumer should step down.
November 9, 2025 at 11:48 PM
We need a new Senate Minority Leader. Schumer should step down.
Reposted by The Real McCoy
I have not slept through a night in 3.5 years since I got sick.
I used to be a head down, don’t move at all, wake up in the same position and feel like a million bucks type of gal.
A good night for me is if my wake ups are 1 hour apart. On bad nights they can be as short as every ten minutes.
I used to be a head down, don’t move at all, wake up in the same position and feel like a million bucks type of gal.
A good night for me is if my wake ups are 1 hour apart. On bad nights they can be as short as every ten minutes.
Reason to avoid #MECFS*
I spend 16 hours actively trying to sleep with many meds and supplements to maybe cobble together 6 hours of sleep.
Oh and that sleep is all in 1-2 hour chunks 🙃
I spend 16 hours actively trying to sleep with many meds and supplements to maybe cobble together 6 hours of sleep.
Oh and that sleep is all in 1-2 hour chunks 🙃
November 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I have not slept through a night in 3.5 years since I got sick.
I used to be a head down, don’t move at all, wake up in the same position and feel like a million bucks type of gal.
A good night for me is if my wake ups are 1 hour apart. On bad nights they can be as short as every ten minutes.
I used to be a head down, don’t move at all, wake up in the same position and feel like a million bucks type of gal.
A good night for me is if my wake ups are 1 hour apart. On bad nights they can be as short as every ten minutes.
Reposted by The Real McCoy
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Reason to avoid #MECFS*
I spend 16 hours actively trying to sleep with many meds and supplements to maybe cobble together 6 hours of sleep.
Oh and that sleep is all in 1-2 hour chunks 🙃
I spend 16 hours actively trying to sleep with many meds and supplements to maybe cobble together 6 hours of sleep.
Oh and that sleep is all in 1-2 hour chunks 🙃
November 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reason to avoid #MECFS*
I spend 16 hours actively trying to sleep with many meds and supplements to maybe cobble together 6 hours of sleep.
Oh and that sleep is all in 1-2 hour chunks 🙃
I spend 16 hours actively trying to sleep with many meds and supplements to maybe cobble together 6 hours of sleep.
Oh and that sleep is all in 1-2 hour chunks 🙃
Reposted by The Real McCoy
Beyond Man City, other clubs which profit directly from emirati patronage should ask themselves some inconvenient questions; and if they do not of their own accord, we fans should be pressuring them into doing so. These other clubs very much include Arsenal FC.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Silence over Sudan: why do Manchester City’s owners get away with so much?
Two midweek matches in England had a backdrop of war and geopolitics, but only one drew large protests
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Beyond Man City, other clubs which profit directly from emirati patronage should ask themselves some inconvenient questions; and if they do not of their own accord, we fans should be pressuring them into doing so. These other clubs very much include Arsenal FC.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
A long excerpt from this 1987 interview with Beth Bighley, a patient with chronic EBV, now known as #MECFS
This could’ve been written by someone last year with #LongCovid and/or ME.
“My parents' reaction was one of relief that I did have something physically. But also frustration, 1/
This could’ve been written by someone last year with #LongCovid and/or ME.
“My parents' reaction was one of relief that I did have something physically. But also frustration, 1/
The Olathe Daily News, Kansas, US. Thirty-eight years ago today - 8th November 1987.
A relatively early reference to 'chronic fatigue syndrome' in the US press.
#mecfs #cfsme #myalgicencephalomyelitis #myalgice
A relatively early reference to 'chronic fatigue syndrome' in the US press.
#mecfs #cfsme #myalgicencephalomyelitis #myalgice
November 8, 2025 at 11:48 PM
A long excerpt from this 1987 interview with Beth Bighley, a patient with chronic EBV, now known as #MECFS
This could’ve been written by someone last year with #LongCovid and/or ME.
“My parents' reaction was one of relief that I did have something physically. But also frustration, 1/
This could’ve been written by someone last year with #LongCovid and/or ME.
“My parents' reaction was one of relief that I did have something physically. But also frustration, 1/