Posts by quietharbor2

If you have ONLY anti-HBs antibodies, then you're immune. 🙂 Plus, there's no active hepatitis B present.

Perhaps you were vaccinated?

If I may offer a single piece of advice:

Don't walk around thinking you're somehow superior to everyone else—not just from a moral standpoint, but because it’ll ultimately backfire... you'll stop doing the actual work required to improve.

left here said:I'm a med student, and I can say with absolute certainty that at least 95% of my peers aren't pursuing medicine for the social status—which, by the way, isn't even that great!

...
My mom was at the 911 ER today for a non-emergency, and the doctors were wonderful!

...

I struggle because I actually love medicine and helping people—and in return, I’ll get an unlimited supply of people exactly like you.😕

Dear left here,

I've read all your responses in this thread. It's clear you've managed to get quite worked up. I also see your colleagues have given you a few reality checks.

Most young physicians enter medicine full of enthusiasm. There is plenty of research regarding motivations for entering the field. Usually, it's driven by ambitious young people who witnessed a health crisis within their own families and realized early on how vital healthcare is. A significant number of people choose medicine simply because they come from medical families—their motivation is just to follow in the footsteps of a parent or relative.

Inevitably, after those pure motivations, one encounters the uglier side. When you are a young resident trying to make clinical decisions while limited by diagnoses, bed counts, and available medication, you'll find patients' relatives offering envelopes or bags filled with things that represent the "price" of health for their loved ones.

That is when a person asks themselves for the first time if it is right to accept this "reward" in exchange for a decision—regardless of whether it's a fancy coffee, some prosciutto, or a blue envelope. Most say, "No, thank you."

Then others ask, "Is it not enough?" Or they pack up their bribe and leave with heads bowed, still wrestling with that same question internally.

I won't dwell too deeply on hypothetical scenarios.
This topic reminds me of the difficult growing pains doctors face only after finishing school. No matter what you say or how you carry yourself, the fact remains: being a doctor is a prominent title, and you will spend your entire life under a microscope. You will be praised more than you deserve, and you will be criticized more than you've ever done anything wrong; people will judge you from a distance, whether you know them or not. They will come from miles away to try and convince you that you are insignificant—or they will flatter you from up close. You simply have to stay strong and refuse to be wounded by their insults or swayed by their hollow compliments. You don't work for the praise; you work for your own internal satisfaction. When you go home knowing that a patient stopped drinking because of a conversation you had with them a month ago, or when a child returns for a checkup after you diagnosed their strabismus in time—and now they wear glasses with a patch, eventually leading to healthy, developed eyes... that is your reward. You won't be able to share that feeling with anyone. Rarely will anyone step up to ask how *you* are doing or if *you* need help.

No one is going to ask how many hours of free time you sacrificed for continuing education, how many times you packed a suitcase full of medicine for the whole community during vacation, or why you couldn't make it to a neighbor's party. But they will definitely gossip in the neighborhood if you haven't started seeing patients by nine, or if you stayed over a cup of coffee a little too long one day.

Simply do not expect your patients to understand you. The dynamic is reversed: As long as you are wearing the white coat, they are addressing "the doctor." Once the coat comes off, you can be vulnerable with a chosen few. There is no reciprocity.

I hope you grow up without becoming hardened. 🙂

Effexor ( Venlafaxin is sometimes prescribed at a 37.5 mg daily dose to help manage premature ejaculation.

Alternatively—if one prefers to avoid medication—one might try focusing on something else entirely during intimacy. Or perhaps simply applying pressure to the base of the penis to delay the inevitable.

Scott Allen10, excellent post!

Beyond what you’ve noted—mortality rates under general anesthesia remain a critical factor. They haven't dropped significantly below one percent.

Abdominal surgeries carry a high risk of respiratory failure. Given the proximity to the diaphragm and the substantial fluid shifts—both loss and replacement—cardiopulmonary failure is a real threat; thus, general anesthesia with intubation is the safer bet.

There is also the issue of aspiration—especially in emergency cases rather than elective ones—where an empty stomach isn't guaranteed. This can lead to pulmonary aspiration and subsequent pneumonia. Recently, clinicians have been utilizing supraglottic devices for these scenarios. Instead of a tube entering the trachea, the device features a mask-like component that sits over the glottis, effectively protecting the airway while still allowing ventilation.

Sean Doyle said:Hi there. 👋

I have an upcoming surgery—nothing is set in stone yet—but I am struggling to choose an anesthesia method. 😢 My surgeon suggested an epidural, arguing it’s easier to handle than general anesthesia since you don't deal with intubation and such.

The issue is twofold: first, the idea of needles in my spine is terrifying, and second, being wide awake to listen to everything happening in the room sounds even worse. 😱 Honestly, I suspect it might actually be easier for the staff to just put me under rather than deal with me being in pain. 😬

So, I'm looking for your experiences—especially if anyone has gone through both types. I know it varies by person, but if an epidural really is superior to general anesthesia, then my decision is basically made. 🙂

Spinals and epidurals remain safer options than general anesthesia.

When handled by experts, there are no lingering issues with the spine. As for "listening to everything"—aside from the local anesthetic, they typically provide sedatives so you’ll be quiet, but won't be worried. Sometimes they even use medications to ensure you forget the whole ordeal; if the experience is traumatic, it won't leave a lasting impression. If you're feeling anxious, try scheduling a consultation with the anesthesiologist before deciding to ask these exact questions. I’m sure they’d be happy to walk you through it.

Winter air is notoriously parched—especially when you're stuck under central heating all day. Dry nasal passages are essentially an open invitation for viral infections. And then there are the bacteria.

When we're walking or sitting upright, our nasal passages act as a natural barrier against that dry air; however, once you lie down—parallel to the floor—the exposure changes. Lying down makes it far easier for that dry air to settle in and dehydrate the membranes. Whatever you do, don't sleep in a room with the heat cranked up. You have to add moisture back into the environment—whether that means letting a pot of water simmer on the stove or using a humidifier. A saline spray is also incredibly effective. Just a word of caution: avoid those decongestant sprays (you shouldn't be using them for more than five or six days anyway; they're strictly for when you're actually sick).

Dust allergies, pet dander, pollen, and the like can also exacerbate that feeling of dryness in the nose.

Kevin White5 said:First off—the woman at the pharmacy is a pharmacist, and she isn't qualified to give medical advice regarding side effects or how to manage specific conditions like allergies or viral infections. That is strictly a doctor's job.

A pharmacist is an expert—they know their drugs, indications, and side effects. In fact, they play a vital role by advising patients on what they are buying (which is why pharmacists sell medication, not bakers) and even reminding us doctors about usage protocols when needed.

And rightfully so, she advised the patient not to use decongestants for more than a week during a cold.

If the nasal inflammation is "vasomotor" in nature, a physician might prescribe long-term vasoconstrictors.

Otherwise, for standard colds, vasoconstrictors are prescribed only briefly—just enough to reduce swelling, allow sinus drainage, and prevent sinus infections or bacterial superinfections.

With vasoconstrictors, the blood vessels eventually "adjust" to a daily dose; once that dose stops—even after the cold is gone—the mucosa produces excess fluid (exudate), leading to a stuffed nose the moment you stop using the drops. A congested nose (swollen mucosa) is, unfortunately, a perfect breeding ground for bacterial infection.

Most viral infections clear up within those seven days of using nasal drops or sprays. If the cold persists, several things could be happening.

1) It might not have been a viral infection at all, but rather an allergy—meaning the nasal mucosa stays inflamed as long as the allergen is present, unless one starts using allergy medication (like antihistamines).

2) A bacterial infection may have already developed, requiring antibiotics.

3) It could be a vasomotor reaction where the mucosa inflames due to temperature changes, alcohol, spices, or emotional stress... one must evaluate if treatment is even necessary and, if so, which class of medication to use.

If the nasal mucosa has already become "accustomed" to drops and sprays, a good way to transition away is using saline solutions—sprays that moisturize the passages and soften mucus to make blowing your nose easier without creating or maintaining a "dependency."

By the way, decongestants can trigger heart arrhythmias, particularly in predisposed individuals. More common side effects include jitteriness, tremors, and peripheral vasoconstriction—which should be avoided in cases of Raynaud's phenomenon...

It could be molluscum contagiosum—though it might not be. You can't exactly get a definitive diagnosis through a screen. Your best bet is to see a dermatologist—they have effective treatments available.

Relaxation techniques are excellent tools for mitigating daily stress and life's general tensions.

When dealing with more significant disorders—well, relaxation methods are practically useless.

Roughly 50% of Americans will require psychiatric intervention at some point in their lives. Only half of those people actually seek out a psychiatrist—why? Because mental health care in the US still carries an immense social stigma. Consequently, a full quarter of the population suffers in silence instead of utilizing modern medicine.

An imbalance of neurotransmitters—those brain chemicals responsible for impulses, mood, and behavior—is almost never corrected by mere relaxation. What actually works is medication and psychotherapy. Some drugs carry a risk of dependency; others do not. It is worth consulting a psychologist or psychiatrist just to understand what options are available.

I seem to recall that a few years back, researchers at the Holy Spirit in Washington, D.C. were looking into using CIA for cancer treatment.

frozenangler9, I am truly sorry things played out this way—especially given the treatment you endured following the loss of your mother. 😢

Hip fracture followed by surgery—now there are lung inflammation symptoms... one absolutely has to rule out a pulmonary embolism! (perhaps an angiography should be ordered)

I trust everything will proceed smoothly.

nobrainatall said:I don't think this topic has been covered yet, so here goes:

Basically, I’ve put on quite a bit of weight over the last year—just sitting around, lying down, and sleeping. The kicker is that all this sleeping actually leaves me feeling even more sluggish; if I wake up after noon, I'm basically useless for the rest of the day. uf...

So, are there any quick fixes for a massive energy boost when I'm feeling exhausted or just lazy? Some kind of magic pill, old wives' tales, or anything like that?

Maybe you're just in a funk, maybe it's a phase, or maybe it really is clinical depression.

Either way, getting active might help—whether it's hitting the gym or finding a hobby. If you can restructure your daily routine, you might find your way out of this "laziness"—sometimes even a small effort makes a difference.

If external changes don't do the trick, you should definitely talk to a professional—like a primary care doctor, a psychiatrist, or a therapist.