Posts by Brenda Turner

Betty Bennett70 said:Good evening.

I would truly appreciate hearing your thoughts on this matter.

Since yesterday evening, I have been struggling quite significantly with my breathing. It feels incredibly difficult to take a deep breath, and I am left with this persistent, nagging sensation that my lungs simply aren't filling up all the way with air. While I can breathe normally through my nose, I just cannot seem to fully expand my chest, which forces me to take deep breaths through my mouth; even then, I only manage to feel like my lungs are full about 70% of the time. I find myself needing to take a massive, deep breath every two minutes just to ensure I don't end up completely breathless.

I am sleeping relatively well, though, because once I lie down on my side, I can breathe somewhat normally without feeling like I'm gasping for air.

I don't have a fever, but I do experience occasional bouts of coughing that pop up here and there, perhaps a few times throughout the day.

Since this whole ordeal kicked off over the weekend, I haven't really had a smart way to figure out exactly what is going on with me.
When it first started yesterday, it felt much worse; I actually had to lean forward just to catch my breath. Now, I am able to take a deep breath and fill my lungs even while lying down.

Does what I’ve described sound like typical Asthma symptoms? I have never dealt with anything like this before, so I don't own an inhaler or any similar equipment, nor have I ever had to navigate these kinds of issues.

Is there any way I might be able to find some quick relief? Any advice at all would be most welcome.

Christian Ruiz4 said:I know enough to tell you that it isn't asthma, because if it were, you wouldn't be able to reach full lung capacity regardless of what position you're in.

Um, based on my own experience, I *do* have asthma (officially diagnosed a few years back), but according to you, I don't...?

Which one is it?

I had the exact same symptoms. For me, it seemed like the trigger was viral bronchitis, which I had for two weeks right before I "ran out of breath"—and no antibiotics, since it was viral. The Ventolin my primary care doctor prescribed didn't help one bit.

The flare-up lasted a few days, during which I went to see a specialist... (spirometry was 120%, prick test came back positive). He prescribed a local steroid (Alvesco), and since then, I've kept it under control (and I still exercise normally).

@Betty Bennett70: go see a doctor as soon as you can.

silverpuma10 said:I'm 18 and four weeks pregnant—I want to have an abortion. Is it possible to do this with pills or does it have to be the standard procedure? Does anyone know if they can describe what both options "look" like—as in, how they actually work? Thanks so much!

There are abortion pills available—I believe they use RU-486, specifically known as Mifeprex—though I'm not entirely sure about the specific regulations here in the US. Maybe try doing a quick Google search...

Oh, right—that medication also helps shrink fibroids, doesn't it?

Alexander Lee3 said:It is somewhat blurry for me at the moment; for instance, when I am reading through these forum posts, I can manage to read them from about a foot away from the monitor, yet the clarity is lacking. However, I neglected to mention that if I manually pull the skin around my eyes slightly—almost creating a squinting effect similar to how one might describe slanted eyes—my vision becomes perfectly sharp again. That was my little workaround, though I must admit, I am quite tired of doing it. Regarding my prescription, I am sincerely hoping it hasn't climbed beyond -5.00; honestly, I find myself wondering how people living with that level of myopia even navigate their daily lives?

See, I told you, but you didn't believe me... 😉 -3 😁

If you were actually at -5, you wouldn't be able to read anything from more than a few inches away...

Alexander Lee3 said:I appreciate your response; however, I find myself wondering exactly what font size one ought to consider in order to accurately apply that particular formula?

That tiny little 😁

Like I mentioned before, you might be able to read larger text—say, on a TV screen—from further away, but that doesn't mean your prescription is fine. It's just putting way too much strain on your eyes! With nearsightedness, you can't really let those eye muscles relax; they stay too tight. So, when you try to "focus" your eyes to see better, you're actually struggling to get those muscles to finally chill out. 😁

Alexander Lee3 said:Greetings!

I was hoping someone who deals with vision issues could offer some perspective regarding distance. Specifically, at what range does your vision begin to blur—for instance, when trying to read subtitles on a television screen? I ask because I find myself unable to clearly make out those same subtitles if they are just about three feet away, which has me quite concerned that my prescription might be significantly high. I have an appointment scheduled with my eye doctor soon, but this uncertainty is weighing on me. I realize this might seem like a somewhat imprecise or even illogical question to pose to a group, yet I would truly appreciate any insight you might be willing to share. It is quite important to me. Thank you all in advance for your help!

p.s. Given that it is clear I am nearsighted, does anyone have a rough idea of what my actual prescription might look like based on this?

The math is basically 1 divided by the distance—so, if you can't read anything past half a meter, then 1 / 0.5 = 2, meaning you're at a 2 diopter—though obviously, it's a negative number since we're talking nearsightedness.

In your case, it would be 1/1, so you'd be looking at a -1. But... being able to read the TV isn't really the best way to measure it. Personally, I'm at a -3 and I can see clearly up to about 12-15 inches—anything past that starts getting blurry—but I can still manage to read the TV if I really strain a bit.

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What is going on with this forum lately... is it just me, or is it lagging and double-posting everything?

Taroth said:The car is always registered to one specific person—so that's who gets hit with the ticket... just like how you'd get served with an eviction notice for unpaid utilities if the lease is in your name, even if there are five other roommates living in the place...

The only way out is if one of the residents submits a signed statement admitting they were actually behind the wheel at that exact moment...

Who says?

You aren't a lawyer, you aren't a judge... sounds more like you're a cop to me... 🙂

I don't know anyone else who would just slap a fine on someone without proving they actually did it—unless it's the police, who seem to write their own laws that fly right in the face of the Constitution (ZSPC).

Jesus... so now the defendant has to prove they're innocent... instead of the prosecution having to prove they're guilty? ***Sic***

By the way—that comparison of yours is totally off base.

Michael Rodriguez40 said:So what's the deal—I always drive like this, and after five years, they finally caught me. Given I clock about 40,000 miles a year, it's really not a huge biggie.
On Saturday, I headed toward Munich and it took me 12 hours—usually it’s just a quick 4.5 hour trip—but there was snow and way too many skiers on the road. Yesterday, the drive back also took 12 hours, though there wasn't much stopping, just tons of snow in Austria and Canada and people driving like they're walking on eggshells.

What happens if I don't say who was driving, or if I just don't pay the fine or file an appeal? Will I eventually get a summons to court?

I honestly don't get why nobody wants to give you a straight answer here? 😁

In the US legal system, a photo isn't considered proof of who was actually behind the wheel. The photo just proves the vehicle committed the violation.

So, since multiple people use that car—your wife, brother, dad, etc.—you can just write in and say you aren't entirely sure who was operating the vehicle at that exact moment... the keys just sit in the hallway and whoever needs the car grabs them. Who actually remembers down to the minute who used which car and when?

Joseph Miller85 said:(these four quotes come from the website www.mayoclinic.org)
you could probably find similar nonsense regarding other "mental health issues" they cover on those pharma sites. http://psychologytoday.com

I actually went through the whole blog—but I can't recall anything specific about depression. If you happen to spot something that isn't accurate, would you mind posting it here? I'd really appreciate it...

Joseph Miller85 said:Let me start with the heavy stuff before moving on to the trivialities—my parents split up and just went their separate ways. They stopped talking entirely, and when my dad passed away, everyone just stayed quiet about everything except the fact that he was gone. I was just a kid back then, so I didn't really grasp what was happening, but I definitely felt this crushing sense of guilt over his death. And look, that isn't some psychological cliché—it’s just the truth. Would things have been different if he had stayed with us? Honestly, I don't know. But guilt is a hell of a thing, especially when someone is dead and there's no way to go back and fix it. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say they just needed a little more time to talk to a parent or a grandparent, only to realize they ran out of time. There’s no fixing that. If you weren't good enough to the person—even if that person was your own father—all those years of trying to make up for it later won't balance the scales. You just have to accept it as a reality. You need to deal with that guilt as fast as possible; otherwise, it serves no purpose other than torturing yourself—or, in worse cases, making life miserable for everyone around you.

Guilt doesn't really weigh on me—honestly, if anything, it’s just this deep sadness about the fact that I won't be hanging out, grabbing drinks, or just working alongside my dad anymore. As for feeling guilty? I answered that question for myself a long time ago once I realized that life is just unpredictable—like, if he hadn't stopped to pick up a newspaper, maybe some stranger wouldn't have run into him later? What can you even do about stuff like that? Nothing. If I had done something differently, maybe my dad would still be here with us today... who knows? Or maybe he wouldn't have been around for years anyway. Who's to say?

Joseph Miller85 said:My girlfriend has tried to take her own life a few times now—and honestly, it’s so hard for me to admit that she did this to herself rather than to me. I mean, it's the truth, isn't it? But I just can't bring myself to say it out loud.

It’s not like she did it *to* you—though I get why it feels that way since you're definitely feeling the impact. But honestly? I bet she would have done the exact same thing even if you weren't around—so, does that really make it about you?

Joseph Miller85 said:You should probably steer clear of those wellness blogs—honestly, just give them a wide berth. They pump out so many mindless articles about psychiatry and mental health that the sheer level of stupidity is almost impressive, isn't it?

Like what, for instance?

Jonathan Johnson67 said:It’s crazy to say anything like that.
First off, I am so sorry you're going through this.
People usually reach a breaking point when they feel trapped—like there’s just no other way out—or they mistakenly think things will be better on the other side. Honestly? I don't think your mom is actually angry at your dad; she's probably just grieving and overwhelmed, and right now, she doesn't know how else to process it. She shouldn't be scolding you, either—that's not helping. Mothers tend to get super protective, so I bet that's why she's taking her frustration out on him.

The best thing you can do is just try to talk to her.

Things are even worse today—she's even more heated toward Dad. I actually ended up shouting at her because I refuse to listen to any more negativity about him (I mean, he's gone, isn't he?). When I'm with her, she only drops a few bitter comments here and there, but with everyone else, she won't stop lecturing them about everything she "endured" during their marriage. You'd think after 42 years together, there wasn't a single good moment left.

Whenever I try to say something kind about him, she acts like I never even knew him since I haven't lived with him for the last 16 years. It's just... unbelievable. For every one bad thing I remember, there were a hundred good ones. He was always there whenever we needed him—and Mom was too. How do two people manage to turn a lifelong marriage into such a living hell... and then refuse to let go?

Carl Hernandez2 said:I think you missed my point entirely!

Well, apparently I did.

Carl Hernandez2 said:Why on earth would I need to read about her just to know what's going on?!

My bad—I didn't realize I was talking to such a massive genius here.

Yeah, clearly some people are just born with a PhD in neurotransmitters, right? 👋

Carl Hernandez2 said:I wasn't sure if I should even weigh in on this topic—nothing I had to say felt smart or meaningful enough. All I can really say, even if it feels a bit hypocritical, is that Dad did "that" to all of you—to you and Mom. Honestly, I don't even want to get into an argument about it...

Have you actually looked into what depression really entails?

There’s a great brochure on depression over at http://www.mayoclinic.org/, and once you read through some of the personal stories on www.nami.org, you realize just how lucky we actually are.

Just a little quote to illustrate the point:

"If hell exists on earth, you will find it in the heart of a melancholy man!"

Robert Burton
Robert Burton Anatomy of Melancholy, 1621.

Mark Lee65 said:I mean, how can anyone even be mad about this?

Well, they could. They were both ready to call it quits—just never at the exact same time. 😁

He was the quiet type, and she just couldn't stop talking—it was constant. Honestly, even the smallest thing would spark an argument, and sometimes things got pretty nasty between them. Who knows why they stayed together for so long?

Mom is pretty furious with Dad because he took his own life. Should I just let her feel that anger—or should I try to talk sense into her and explain that what he did wasn't "against her" or "against us," but was really about his own internal battle?

What would actually be better for her? How can we help her move through this crisis with less pain? Since I'm his son, I know I'm biased—I can't quite bring myself to be angry at him, nor can I be angry at Mom... especially if they were fighting between themselves... but then again, how can I stay objective enough to point a finger at a "culprit"?

frozencyclist4 said:The tree wasn't even that big—he’s fine, but my car is a total wreck. A few thousand bucks??? Isn't that a bit much? The cop told me it would be closer to $1,000. I honestly don't get why I'm the one footing the bill when those kids darted out at me—by my logic, shouldn't I be suing them? Anyway, I checked today and there was no "Slow: Children" sign. My registration was good for another three months and the car was in perfect shape, but the issue was all that sand on the side of the road... it made my braking uneven and pulled me right out of my lane. I guess if I'd been driving my own car with ABS and traction control, I could've stopped normally without all this mess. I'm not too upset about the car being banged up—my grandpa just got a new one anyway and isn't mad—it's just this
fine

Check the police report... if by any chance (and I say "any chance" 😢) the officers noted that sand on the roadway, you could sue the department responsible for road maintenance.

Then again, since we aren't in the European Union where road conditions are found to be at fault in a third of these accidents, I wouldn't be surprised if they just nail you for "driving too fast for conditions."

neonorca11 said:Basically, I’ve got a bit of a situation... which I know is a common struggle for guys... I finish way too fast. So, I recently hooked up with this girl and it looks like I really let her down—she basically gave me a "do-over"... which might be happening today 😉 ...so, I'm curious how you all manage to stay in the game... like, lasting more than 10 minutes? Is there anything out there that actually works better than Viagra?😲 😁

Are you guys just hitting it ten times a day? Or maybe smoking weed? Does anyone have any actual, smart advice?

🙏 🙏 🙏

How can you say you have a problem? Didn't you both start working on it together? 😁

Maybe try taking a Tantra sex workshop

swiftskipper712 said:I notice a lot of guys on here dealing with that redness on their beard area and under the nose. I’m in the same boat—haven't hit up a dermatologist yet, but I really should since it's starting to get pretty annoying. I tried using some cortisone cream, but it didn't really do much, and honestly, you shouldn't be using that stuff long-term anyway. Does anyone have any tips?? How do you all deal with this? Is it just an issue with shaving??
Thx

I just use an electric shaver and haven't had any issues at all.

Just a heads-up—even when you're having a legitimate, fully licensed breast surgery for a tumor at a private clinic, things can still go $5333. Just thought everyone should be aware.

From what I can gather, some people end up paying under the table—which means you're left with absolutely zero guarantees for anything.