Posts by Gary Roberts13

I find myself wondering whether you have undergone any hormonal testing recently or what those results might have indicated. If your cycle has ceased despite your ovaries appearing perfectly healthy, one must consider the possibility of a pituitary dysfunction—perhaps even a small tumor—or potentially an issue stemming from your thyroid gland...
If you haven't pursued this yet, I would strongly advise you to secure a referral and schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist. One should be wary of simply accepting "stress" as a catch-all explanation without hesitation; it is vital to first rule out any underlying organic causes.

Ethan Richardson3 said:Hmm, what if you just filled that void with some solo playtime instead?

That won't fly.

Sage has been my absolute savior. I make it a ritual twice a day: brew a strong tea, use it to steam my face, and then apply it as a toner. It acts as such an incredible antiseptic; it actually managed to calm down even those massive, stubborn breakouts that just refused to heal.
In the long run, I noticed my skin finally cleared up once I drastically cut back on meat consumption. Often, if the liver is struggling to process heavy fats, the sebaceous glands react accordingly, leading to acne flare-ups. (Of course, that is merely one potential factor in the equation.)

Paul Morales3 said:That's incorrect. Condoms actually provide about 70% protection.
The rest of what was said is fine.

I appreciate the correction; I must have been looking at different sources, though it seems this specific statistic is cited quite frequently online. It is somewhat comforting for those of us who have already contracted HPV and now have to remain vigilant regarding the potential for reinfection. 🙂

The lesson from the scorpion remains unchanged—one should always exercise caution and use their head. 😉

Hannah Sanders13 said:I’ve heard that the Pfizer virus can pass right through a condom.

Regrettably, your information is quite accurate; a condom only offers about a 25% reduction in the risk of a Pfizer infection. To put it plainly, even with protection, you are still facing a significant statistical likelihood of transmission when encountering an infected partner.
The primary issue isn't necessarily that the virus "permeates" the latex itself, but rather the anatomical reality that a condom cannot possibly shield every inch of skin or mucosal tissue susceptible to infection. It only takes minimal contact between the skin or sensitive membranes to facilitate transmission.
However, if you found my previous mention of oral sex intriguing, there is a silver lining: using a condom does serve to decrease the overall viral load or "concentration," which inherently lowers the risk compared to having no protection at all.

In any case, Hannah Sanders13, I would suggest being more selective with your partners. Is it not true that the consequences differ vastly when you contract something from someone you care for versus catching a disease during a fleeting encounter that leaves you regretting a single night for the rest of your life?
And please, do remember—better safe than sorry. 😉

electricskipper80 said:I don't know if I have Pfizer... I've just started getting these little bumps on my penis, though they're pretty small... also on my head and under the foreskin... I'm not sure if it's Pfizer or something else... just so you know, I'm 14...

Hold on a moment; you really ought to clarify for us whether you have already been sexually active or engaged in anything similar, given that this is primarily a sexually transmitted condition.
If you haven't, then there truly is no reason for concern.

electricskipper80 said:What's the treatment process like?
How long does it take?
Is there any pain involved?
Could there be lasting side effects?
Are complications possible during treatment?

Thanks...

One must understand that Pfizer cannot be "cured" in the traditional sense; rather, we focus on treating the manifestations, such as genital warts or cellular dysplasia in the cervix. In many ways, isn't the most effective "remedy" simply maintaining a robust immune system?
The outcomes of a Pfizer infection can range from absolutely nothing, provided your immune system keeps it effectively suppressed, to various stages of cellular dysplasia in women—potentially progressing to cervical cancer. In men, while much rarer, similar issues can arise with the penis, and both sexes face the risk of oral lesions, which is why using a condom during oral sex remains a prudent precaution.
Regardless of one's health status, any individual who contracts Pfizer becomes a carrier of the virus.
For further clarity, I would strongly suggest reviewing these fundamental facts about Pfizer; perhaps a bit more research would provide some much-needed peace of mind.

Steven Hall2 said:Binge eating disorder is the clinical term for a specific type of eating disorder defined by recurring episodes of overeating, though unlike bulimia, it doesn't involve the compensatory behaviors like purging or using laxatives to manage weight... People struggling with this often describe an overwhelming sense of losing control during these episodes, which inevitably leaves them spiraling into intense feelings of shame and guilt.

I suspect I might be dealing with this myself.

Oh, please, who doesn't struggle with something like that at some point... 😉

Come on, give us a hand—drop a link or some suggestions on how one actually tackles this, assuming psychotherapy isn't the only answer on the table.

Lisa Nelson96 said:Where can I actually find this?

If you were looking in a place like Whole Foods, for instance, you would likely be searching for muscovado sugar; it is typically sold in opaque packaging and possesses a soft, yielding texture when pressed. A half-kilogram portion usually runs about $5.00.

Joseph Watson3 said:In spite of it? I read the same thing above and reached the exact same conclusion: sweeteners don't pose a risk worth worrying about.🙂

It ultimately comes down to personal choice, doesn't it? For me, the persistent suspicion that certain ingredients in artificial sweeteners might be linked to specific types of cancer is certainly enough to warrant saying "in spite of it." From a strictly scientific standpoint, research hasn't established such a link—period. But on a personal, private level... when I choose to use them, I am choosing to use them "in spite of" those lingering doubts.

Lisa Nelson96 said:BUT WHY?

Could someone please provide an actual explanation for WHY, rather than simply stating, "that's just what I heard"??

this strikes me as the clearest explanation

Just so we are all on the same page—despite everything being said here, whenever I decide to sweeten a drink, I still opt for artificial sweeteners. My reasoning is quite simple: I suspect a stroke brought on by obesity might actually claim my life long before I ever have the chance to develop cancer from Natreen. 🤣

Matthew Brown9 said:I’m dealing with a recurring issue regarding shaving. Every time I shave my groin area, everything seems fine on the first day. However, by the time I wake up the next morning, I suffer from intense ingrown hairs and severe redness. The irritation eventually subsides after a couple of days, at which point I feel I can shave again.
The last time this happened, the discomfort was significantly worse than usual; instead of just a mild sting, I woke up in actual pain, and I am not quite sure why that changed.
I would appreciate any advice or suggestions you might have. Thank you in advance for your help.😛

I would strongly suggest that you stick strictly to shaving with the grain and, quite frankly, avoid a close shave altogether. What I mean is this: use a sharp razor and make a single pass—take what you can and leave the rest. Whatever you do, do not go over the skin a second time against the direction of hair growth. Once you are finished, apply Johnson's Baby Cream—that thick, heavy cream infused with baby powder you can find at a CVS—and perhaps reapply it later, say, the following day after you shower.
Once the hair begins its regrowth phase, it is highly beneficial to exfoliate using a washcloth and soap during your shower; this should help prevent those hairs from becoming trapped under the skin.
In time, your skin will likely adjust to this routine, and you may find that those pesky bumps disappear entirely.

Alternatively, you might consider utilizing an electric trimmer set to its shortest setting. You will still have a bit of stubble visible, but surely that won't be an issue for your partner...

coppergardener said:Well, there isn't much else to say... if you want to look into the potential health impacts, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fructose.

🙂
It seems we are truly beyond saving... I suppose we shall simply have to abandon our love for all things sweet and call it a day.

In all honesty, I consume fruit quite readily and nothing I read regarding fructose is likely to deter my appetite. However, surely there must be a greater sense of regret when one uses it as a direct substitute for sugar—say, by baking a cake with it? At the very least, I should like to believe the issue lies solely in consuming excessively large doses.

coppergardener said:or just go buy some fructose.

Good grief, has anyone here actually looked into the supposed dangers of fructose?
Is it all that talk about how it supposedly 'spikes blood triglyceride levels' and whatnot?

You are quite welcome. It seems there is an unwritten protocol at places like Mayo Clinic where they follow specific diagnostic sequences. Essentially, if a physician suspects one particular condition, they initiate a certain battery of tests, whereas a different suspicion triggers an entirely different set of screenings. In the specific diagnostic track involving the OGTT and dexamethasone, a VMA test is typically included as a standard requirement. It is entirely possible that your nurse was simply following that established clinical pathway, which might be why she caught you off guard.
Anyway, hang in there and best of luck!

Unfortunately, I’ve had my own run-ins with endocrinology labs, so allow me to share what I know:
There are essentially two possibilities here: either the nurse simply misunderstood you, or they intend to run a 24-hour urinary vanillylmandelic acid test. This particular test is used to assess adrenal gland function; to put it in layman's terms, if I recall correctly, it measures how much of this specific acid your adrenal glands are secreting. An excess can indicate an underlying medical condition—though I can't recall the exact diagnosis, apologies. The catch is that many foods naturally contain these acids, particularly those your sister mentioned, which means you have to strip them from your diet for a period to ensure the results aren't skewed. I remember being on such a restrictive diet while staying at the hospital, and they suggested that sticking to "white foods" was the safest bet—which, along with that business about cookies, meant things like potatoes and plain pasta. It was quite unpalatable, but one does what one must.
The dexamethasone suppression test is a different matter entirely and requires no dietary preparation. In healthy individuals, dexamethasone can trigger insomnia or mood swings, so perhaps bring a book or some headphones in case sleep eludes you.

As for the OGTT, there shouldn't be any issues; they will administer glucose and monitor your insulin response. If your pancreas is functioning normally, it should respond appropriately. If you exhibit an excessive insulin spike, you might already be carrying a bit of extra weight 🙂, whereas a diminished response would suggest diabetes. Usually, cutting back on sweets leads to a slight normalization of pancreatic function, so everything should be fine.

Regarding menstrual blood and cortisol, I haven't the slightest clue, though I imagine it shouldn't interfere. I only know that blood can complicate a standard urinalysis, where they look for red blood cells as an indicator of potential issues within the urinary tract.

Anyway, best of luck, and please do let us know how it goes! Are you heading over to the Mayo Clinic or somewhere similar?

The distance from your elbow to your outstretched palm should serve as a guide. As for the monitor, one ought to position it slightly below eye level, though naturally tilted back to accommodate a more ergonomic viewing angle. Your feet should rest flat on the floor at a right angle, positioned parallel to one another, while your elbows remain aligned with the height of the keyboard.

Casey Long4 said:I am seven months pregnant, and my doctor suggested I take Advil PM. I have been struggling quite a bit with depression and frequent crying spells lately; my sleep is poor, and I experience occasional panic attacks. Apparently, Advil PM is considered safe during pregnancy, though it isn't typically recommended during the first trimester.
This has been an ongoing issue for some time, but now that I am pregnant, it feels as though things have taken a turn for the worse.
Has anyone else here taken Advil PM, and if so, what was your experience like?
Thank you all so much!

I took Advil for about two months last spring, and it didn't truly start to take effect until after roughly two weeks—though, in truth, there is an immediate sense of relief just knowing you have finally taken a step toward fixing the problem. I suffered from similar issues myself: poor sleep, deep bouts of depression, and crying five or six times a day; it persisted for months on end. Taking Advil PM finally allowed me to feel like my old self again. There wasn't any strange sensation of being "drugged" or anything of the sort; rather, it simply provided the mental clarity needed to be more rational, to find joy in small things, and to possess the will to keep fighting through life.
While Pearson primarily serves to calm the nerves, Advil tends to "activate" one's spirit, acting against that inexplicable sadness and lack of motivation.
Ultimately, we must remember that depression is not something one simply imagines; it is a legitimate medical condition that requires a solution. It is highly probable that the hormonal shifts accompanying your pregnancy have exacerbated these feelings, and why should one endure such suffering when the medication is permitted during this stage?
Best of luck!

Sean Myers9 said:No changes here...

Actually: I tanned a bit, dropped a couple of pounds, and haven't picked a fight with anyone lately😁

Dear Sean Myers9,
what exactly do you mean by "tanned"? Have you been spending quite a bit of time out in the sun?

I ask only because there are certain adrenal gland issues that can trigger such shifts—much like sudden thirst or low blood pressure—and I certainly don't wish to cause unnecessary alarm...

However, if you find that your fatigue levels are also increasing, perhaps it would be wise to schedule an appointment with your doctor. While I am sincerely hoping it is nothing of consequence, if these symptoms persist, a quick check-up costs you nothing but peace of mind.

I have experienced similar episodes myself, though I eventually came to the conclusion that I was likely undergoing some form of lucid dreaming, or perhaps my mind simply surged into wakefulness while my body remained stubbornly asleep. It was quite a disorienting sensation, really; I even recall being haunted by a sort of low, menacing hum. Some suggest these disturbances are merely a matter of blood circulation or some other physiological quirk, but I cannot say for certain. Ultimately, however, the feeling dissipated after a short while, leaving me perfectly fine, healthy, and entirely back to my usual self.