There is still plenty of room for you to grow. The body doesn't fully finish developing until your early twenties, which means you likely have about five years of growth left ahead of you.
At 5'10", you're already at a very solid height, and honestly, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't be losing any sleep over it—especially considering your parents' heights. However, if you really want to take action, focusing on a consistent sleep schedule and a nutritious diet will do much more for you than any stretching routine ever could.
Everyone’s experience varies, but personally, I haven't noticed a significant difference between seeing a private specialist versus someone covered by Medicare. 🤷 I can't recall the exact duration of my wait for the initial consultation, though I believe it was roughly a month. In my opinion, the most practical course of action would be to simply call the clinic tomorrow to check their current availability.
Bradley Martinez3, Are you planning on paying out of pocket or going through Medicare?
If you're looking to go through Medicare, here are two doctors I can personally recommend: - Dr. Mary Despot at Rebro Hospital - Dr. Davorka Herman Mahečić at Vinogradska
A quality shoe should ideally come with a specific mold and a specialized softening paste designed to stretch the leather effectively. Given those tools, I honestly don't see why you wouldn't be able to resolve this issue yourself. 🙂
Amanda Hill24 said:Does anyone know an ophthalmologist in Chicago? It’s urgent because reading is giving me terrible headaches. I recently moved to Chicago and I'm looking for somewhere where I can get seen quickly. I'm actually a high school senior, and I have so many responsibilities right now that it's becoming nearly impossible to manage when the letters are literally dancing on the page.😉
Since you're still in high school, you likely still qualify under pediatric ophthalmology, which generally means you can be seen much faster. I would suggest trying Dr. Mirjana Bjeloš Rončević at Holy Spirit; she is excellent.
Of course her cycle won't become regular overnight. If she isn't ready to talk and still has that fear of doctors, it might be more effective to give her a book on sexual maturity that covers menstruation in detail. It's a way to kill two birds with one stone, allowing you to sidestep the awkward conversations for a while 🙂 Something like 'Teen Sexuality' by Oprah Winfrey (Facebook) could be appropriate, or perhaps 'The Ultimate Health Guide for Girls' by Anne Hathaway—something along those lines. She might dismiss it as 'stupid and boring,' but curiosity will eventually drive her to read it.
In my view, you’re only making things more complicated for yourself by straying from the traditional route if you're looking at this from a long-term perspective. I would suggest simply doing whatever first comes to mind: deposit the funds into your account and set up a fixed-term CD.
slypanther46 said:Hey ladies, I really need some input from you women on a few things... I’m currently fighting a losing battle with massive hair loss—I used to have this thick, long, wavy mane, but now it’s just thin, dry, and weak; I can barely tie it into a tiny little walnut-sized bun. On top of that, my gums are bleeding, my eyes are super sensitive and dry (I can't even stare at my computer screen like I used to without them watering constantly), and I am just exhausted—and I mean *exhausted*—even after getting a full eight hours of sleep. I’ve been reading up on it and suspect it might all be tied to a hormonal imbalance, though my dermatologist immediately tried to push steroids on me, my dentist wants me to get a deep scaling for my gums, and for my eyes, I'm stuck using artificial tears and drops that honestly don't do much. All of this is seriously tanking my quality of life.
Things have taken a real turn for the worse over the last year, so I went ahead and got some testing done. My thyroid came back fine, my glucose tolerance test was okay, and my blood work looks normal. My periods are pretty regular—every 30 days, maybe swinging two days early or late.
Most of my sex hormones are within range, except for androstenedione, which is sitting above 19.5 when the reference interval tops out at 11.4. I just got the results yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to sit down with my OBGYN to go over the details yet, but obviously, that number is high.
I had a gut feeling it was some kind of hormonal mess-up involving excess male hormones, especially since I’ve noticed some increased hair growth in certain areas—but my ultrasound didn't show any signs of PCOS. I wanted to know if anyone else here deals with similar symptoms? And specifically, would birth control pills (which I assume will be my only option) actually help restore my hair or fix these other issues?
Since I’ve never taken them before, does anyone know which brands are generally considered the best? Also, does anyone experience side effects like weight gain?
Is there any other way to get my hormones back in balance—maybe through herbal teas or something more natural?
Thanks so much for the help! Sorry I can't dive deep into the whole thread right now—I'm totally slammed with time—but I promise I'll read through everything once things settle down because I know there's good advice here. Right now, I just really need an answer.
ladiellep, I am certainly no expert, but my first thought is: have you had your cortisol levels checked? What about DHEA? Or perhaps an abdominal ultrasound specifically focusing on the adrenal glands?
You’ve likely already discussed your concerns with a gynecologist, but I wanted to comment because a close friend of mine dealt with very similar symptoms. It strikes me that your issue might actually stem from your adrenal glands, especially since your cycles are regular and you haven't been diagnosed with PCOS.
Essentially, the brain monitors hormone levels in the bloodstream and signals the pituitary gland to release specific amounts—those sex hormones are then produced by the ovaries and the adrenal cortex. Androstenedione acts similarly to testosterone, which is why it's categorized as a "male" hormone. Because of that excess, you're dealing with unwanted hair growth and hair loss, but I would also draw a connection between the bleeding gums, dry eyes, and fatigue and the adrenal cortex hormones.
I took Triqular for a long time, and fortunately, it worked perfectly for me, though I can't say if it would suit you. If you haven't started oral contraceptives yet, I would suggest looking for ones where every pill in the pack is identical. I can't recall the specific name—maybe someone here knows it—but I believe those tend to have the fewest side effects. Best of luck, regardless. 🙂
The first day is always the most brutal for me. I take a single 600mg Ibuprofen as soon as the pain starts, because otherwise, it becomes absolutely unbearable. For the rest of the time, I just focus on staying extremely hydrated. Honestly, I think getting through those initial forty-eight hours is mostly down to that early medication. 🙏
I use a standard wool thermal belt designed for rheumatism. I pull it down to my pelvic bone, and it reaches just above my navel, which provides warmth exactly where I need it most.
Kevin Nguyen3 said:Well, I am certainly not signing off on anyone's opinion here. While Faverin has been a lifesaver for plenty of people, that clearly isn't the case for restlesstiger49, yet he remains so incredibly stubborn! Hasn't he already been told to step away from that specific medication? And what does he do? He goes and increases his dosage... simply brilliant, isn't it?
The reality is that Lexapro doesn't work for everyone either, so in this light, who can honestly say whether it would actually help restlesstiger49 or not?
In any event, we find ourselves circling back to that age-old dilemma: how on earth do you hit the right target with AT&T?
Faverin is generally intended for severe depression or OCD... but does restlesstiger49 even struggle with those specific issues? I highly doubt it.
I personally reached out to redranger2 regarding a negative experience with Faverin; that particular AT&T didn't work for me, whereas escitalopram successfully reduced my anxiety. For me, five weeks or more is necessary to see results, and I agree with that assessment.
I don't have the full picture of restlesstiger49's medical history, and no one on this forum can dictate which medication someone should take or offer any guarantees. We are simply sharing our personal experiences. That said, thank you for the reminder about the disclaimer; sometimes I forget how easily posts can be misinterpreted. 🙂
restlesstiger49, I have to agree with redranger2 here. I had a similar experience where Faverin just wasn't working for me, but things finally started looking up once I switched over to Elicei, which is the generic version of Lexapro.
- If you just want a quick assessment of where things stand, you could always take your statement to a pharmacist at a local drugstore; they can give you a professional opinion on the current situation. - Of course, an Emergency Room will always see you and handle your case, but be prepared to pay a significant amount out of pocket if you don't have health insurance coverage.
I dealt with this exact same issue after taking a break from wearing earrings for a while. It actually cleared up once I started being more proactive about hygiene. I didn't stumble upon any groundbreaking medical breakthroughs, just some practical maintenance. 🤷 I made it a habit to clean out my piercing holes every week using sterilized earrings and a bit of rubbing alcohol. Now, I wear them almost daily. I always wipe the posts down with alcohol before putting them in, give my ears a quick swipe, and then follow up with some facial toner once I take them out at night.
edit: gentlesailor25, that could definitely be a possibility. My mother experienced something similar when her immune system was compromised during an illness. While I'm not a doctor, one holistic perspective I encountered suggested that certain points on the ear are linked to kidney function and the urinary tract. The idea is that when the body struggles to flush out toxins through normal channels, the ears might react accordingly. 🤷
velvetfalcon52, I don't believe being diplomatic is synonymous with being a manipulator. There are times when it is simply wiser to bite your tongue and mitigate potential risks. Is "brutal honesty" truly worth the fallout? One has to consider what the consequences might be if you choose to stay silent or strategically redirect the conversation 🤷 In my view, it is entirely possible to remain true to oneself while still maintaining a diplomatic approach toward others. Most conflicts arise not from the substance of what was said, but rather from the manner in which it was communicated.
restlesstiger49 said:The issue is that I’m actually working, even though I wrote this. I'm here. I have a problem. I'm currently stuck at Union Station, and things aren't going well. Is there any way to get a hold of a backup doctor through Kaiser Permanente? Or maybe even just manage a quick phone consultation? I'm really hoping for some good news...
I would suggest calling them directly and making it clear that this is urgent because the medication isn't sitting right with you. Personally, I never had any issues with 🤷
Brenda Lee9 As I have previously noted: I am dealing with intense dizziness and an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. My vision keeps blurring, and it isn't just a passing moment—it lasts the entire day without any relief. It is truly exhausting. Currently, I am taking one dose in the morning and one in the evening, but I still feel absolutely terrible. I honestly feel like a zombie.
Are you feeling fatigued and experiencing that "zombie" sensation from Coaxil? Honestly, I suspect either your dosage is too low or the medication simply isn't the right fit for your chemistry. I would strongly suggest consulting with your psychiatrist again if I were in your shoes; what you're describing sounds more like withdrawal symptoms rather than actual side effects from the drug itself. 😕
electrichound3 said:Thanks for the reply, Vesper Lynd... Honestly, I feel the exact same way when I wake up—just looking totally disoriented and out of it. There’s this weird wave of anxiety that hits me the second I open my eyes, then it just passes. And yeah, I drink coffee—well, instant coffee—and I’ve noticed it definitely spikes my anxiety. I really shouldn't be touching it, but old habits die hard. A few years back, I went through some serious psychotic episodes. My life has been incredibly stressful since I was a kid, and naturally, the bill has come due. I was on Zyprexa for a while, but it turned me into a total zombie. I actually felt worse on it than off, so my doctor pulled the plug. Then I tried Risperdal... ugh, the side effects were brutal. It wasn't until things finally stabilized that my head stopped feeling like a tangled mess, but even then, the panic would set in wondering how I'd ever keep up with school. My doctor told me straight up that I react poorly to psychiatric meds; she was actually surprised by how many side effects I dealt with. But everyone is different, right? Antipsychotics just don't sit well with me. She actually suggested I try a low dose of Risperdal again just to calm those intense fears that eat me alive before exams, but I had to say no. Even a small dose is too much when the side effects leave me completely exhausted. Back when I started college, I used to rely on Guarana, but combining that with Wellbutrin would have been a disaster. That stuff really boosts your serotonin; in my opinion, it's one of the best things I've ever taken for SAD and depression.
It seems we find ourselves somewhere within the majority of the points listed here. 🙂 I find that almost nothing is working for me lately. I start my mornings with a strong cup of black coffee, and I have absolutely no intention of giving that up—call me a caffeine addict if you want, but it’s non-negotiable. That said, I have made some significant changes to my other daily habits, incorporating several new routines lately, and I can honestly say I feel much better because of them. I’ve been having some trouble with Velafax lately. A few hours after I take my dose, I get this overwhelming sensation—it feels almost like I’ve had a heavy mix of Red Bull and vodka. It hits me so hard that I have to force myself to stay completely still just to manage it.
