Posts by Roger Martin3

Nicole Barrett76 said:Painkillers can take a toll on the heart.

As for the whole "you're a man and you don't understand" thing, you might want to take a look at post #1110.

Which painkillers specifically? Are we talking NSAIDs? And what kind of dosage? Because dosage is everything here. 😉

Taking four Advil a month isn't going to do a thing to me. 😁

Nicole Barrett76 said:Don't you fear that your heart might give out?

And why on earth would my heart leave me? 🤷

I simply cannot afford the luxury of spending two whole days bedridden—just falling apart from the pain—anymore. Nor do I have any desire to just sit there and take it.
But then again, you're a man—so it's perfectly clear to me that you wouldn't understand. 🙂

lonegull13 said:It always kills me during those first two days, and back when I could actually find Baralgin M, that stuff was a lifesaver if I caught it early enough... but once I miss that window, nothing works, not even the Neofen I’ve been using lately... basically, by the time the pain hits a fever pitch, you can toss whatever pills you want at it and they won't do squat. I don't know if it's some psychological thing or just... I have no clue. 🤷 Does anyone else deal with this kind of thing?

I'm going to pick up some raspberry leaf tea today, fingers crossed it actually helps, especially on day one 😢

It isn't psychological; it's purely physical. I'm the exact same way. 😢
It’s simply the pathophysiology of pain—once it truly takes hold, you might as well pack your bags and go home because it's incredibly hard to stop. Personally, as soon as I feel the need approaching, I take 400 mg of Ibuprofen before the pain even has a chance to start. That way, during those first one or two days, I just take two or three Brufen tablets and the pain stays away.

First off, I want to extend my thanks to rustydrifter10, Daniel Ward87, and the rest of the admin team for lifting my ban.
It truly wasn't an issue waiting around—I certainly don't have anything profound to contribute to the world today, anyway.
😁
Secondly—and this is just as important—thank you all for the kind words and the warm welcomes. You've honestly managed to turn a completely disastrous day around for me. 😍

with All my Love and affection Velvet
Velvet

Jason Reyes9 said:Listen, dear, who do you think you are?😕 Is there a problem with my posts on this forum or something?
This whole subforum probably wouldn't even exist if everyone just went straight to a doctor. If that were the case, I'd basically be acting like Jason Reyes9 and just sending every single one of you straight to your GP.

Be reasonable and back off from my thread.

melloworca6, look, all I want is at least some indication of what kind of conditions might match my symptoms. That way, I can see if I recognize anything in the descriptions, which makes it a lot easier for me to actually go see a doctor.

Now, Jason Reyes9, let's dial back the drama just a notch. I wasn't attacking you; I was actually trying to calm you down since you seemed so worried that Dr. Hrvoje had reached some terrifying diagnosis that he's just refusing to share with you.

And what exactly do you think is going to happen here—do you honestly believe someone is going to peer into a crystal ball, give you a diagnosis, and prescribe medication? That is simply impossible—it's just not how things work—and the only place you'll ever get real answers is in an actual doctor's office.

So, with that being said, I'm deleting this from your thread. 🙂

Jason Reyes9 said:Ugh, tell me about it! They look at one lab report and say everything is fine, but meanwhile...🙄
Right now, I'm taking Omega-3s because my vitamin levels came back low on a recent test, and I'm also supplementing with minerals—magnesium chloride, calcium... potassium, mostly just eating bananas.

And now you're left second-guessing everything, wondering if things could have gone differently. Seriously, these doctors... it makes you lose all trust in them, and honestly, who can blame you?

Now I'm actually getting nervous. You guys have figured something out, and you won't tell me directly—instead, you'll just send me to my doctor to have him break the news.
😕

Look, you can’t really say anything definitive without first going through a full review and getting actual lab results—it just isn't possible. When symptoms like yours crop up, the standard recommendation is to run a complete battery of tests—just as Dr. Hrvoje suggested to you—and only then should anyone start drawing conclusions or making official diagnoses. 😉

Please, just try to stay calm—it’s easier said than done, I know—and head over to your primary care physician for a proper evaluation. Once you're there, they will review your initial tests and determine if you need to see a specialist or undergo further diagnostic imaging. Based on that clinical assessment, they'll be able to give you a much clearer picture of what is actually going on.

urbantrucker5 said:Here is what I find myself disputing—and I do so quite earnestly:

Why on earth did the moderators allow a thread like this to exist within the Religion section? Honestly—I’m struggling to understand the logic here. Why would they permit an attempt at religious segregation, especially when it’s being framed through the lens of sadism and the motivation to murder or torture innocent people? It feels incredibly misplaced.

So, here is my take—based on that comment from the supermod above (who, by the way, is being quite tasteless and almost as embarrassing as her actual thesis)—that this topic was left up for a very good reason. Perhaps my intuition is off, and this was just some unintended oversight by the administration—though I highly doubt that—or perhaps there truly was no mistake at all. If there really wasn't an error, then I would simply ask someone to explain that bolded question above; I’d love to understand exactly how religion dictates whether or not a person turns out to be a sadist.

I am of the opinion—though I might be overthinking things here—that a topic like this really deserves to be examined through sociological, philosophical, and religious lenses. Because of that, I don't see anything wrong with the fact that it was opened in that particular forum.

The problem—and this is just my two cents—is that the argument is fundamentally flimsy. In my view, the author ended up sabotaging herself and all other believers (entirely unintentionally, mind you) by acting in such a way.

dustyranger64 said:The so-called moral argument—the idea that morality itself is derived solely from faith and religion—is quite frankly one of the most foolish arguments ever conceived—and it serves as nothing more than an embarrassment to anyone attempting to use it.

What else was she supposed to say—@ego—and really, what other options did the rest of them have besides giving that exact response? To be honest, an answer like that is pretty much intuitive—if not entirely expected.
And that is precisely why things have devolved into this petty, endless tug-of-war—this desperate scramble to see who can actually claim the title of being the biggest sadist among us. 🤷That is exactly why—after making just one single post over there—I decided I wasn't ever going back.

The subject matter regarding religion actually holds quite a bit of potential—it really does—it just needed to be framed a little more effectively. At least, that is how I see things from my perspective.

urbantrucker5 said:Brenda Scott—I completely agree with you that the author's intent was downright rude—and frankly, her goal seemed to be nothing more than a direct insult to Atheists. But even beyond that, her central thesis is just an absolute absurdity. She operates under this ridiculous assumption that every single person is a born sadist, and that it is only through faith that believers are prevented from killing. It’s quite a leap, isn't it?

That kind of argument is frankly an insult to the entire human race—whether we are talking about people of faith or Atheists—and because of that, I honestly find it baffling how such a notion could even exist in our discourse. 🤷

It’s just sick—honestly, reading that was nothing short of depraved. The bloody nightmares, the constant kicking and punching... it’s just pure madness—playing games with someone bound up on a deserted island. Truly disturbing.

It seems perfectly clear to me why she started this thread—it feels like a direct provocation against atheists. However, keeping a topic like this alive is just as much an insult to believers. In fact, it’s an affront to anyone with a shred of decency—regardless of their faith—who isn't a total sadist; and honestly, I’d like to think most of us fall into that second category. 😉

I actually posted my response back when that thread first opened—but I haven't revisited it since, nor have I spent much time dwelling on it—mostly because it left me feeling quite unsettled (you saw exactly why, too). Now that you've written this, though, I can see how, at its core, the whole thing is just fundamentally insulting to everyone involved.

It is truly a shame—I really mean that—because if the topic had been framed differently, it could have served as a foundation for some genuinely healthy debate (as I mentioned earlier). If the moderation team regarding religion had simply adjusted the premise—shifting it from "what prevents atheists from..." to "what prevents anyone from..."—it would have opened the door for a much broader discussion encompassing faith, atheism, and everything in between.
It is such a shame—truly—that what could have been a genuinely compelling topic has been watered down into something so superficial.

To thread left me feeling, to put it mildly, completely shaken when I first laid eyes on it. My takeaway was actually quite the opposite—I walked away thinking that Atheists are essentially sadists who will dissect anyone they please simply because they have the opportunity (largiving them a total lack of any moral restraints due to their atheism).

Now that you’ve opened this discussion, I realize the way the original topic was framed could have been interpreted in a different light altogether.
I still maintain, however, that my interpretation—and I suspect others share it—is the more accurate one; the author's intent seemed to be a direct provocation aimed at Atheists rather than believers (the OP is a person of faith, after all).

The topic itself is poorly constructed and, in my view, quite offensive and downright rude.

What should have happened instead is for the subject to be reframed into a broader, more philosophical question: what is it that truly prevents a person from harming another? Is it religious conviction, or perhaps some internal moral compass that exists independently of faith? In other words, the inquiry should have been expanded to include all groups—religious and non-religious alike. I believe if it had been posed that way, it would have possessed far more substance and potential without being insulting to anyone. 🤷

Elizabeth Davis said:that having sex during your period is just as "safe" as any other time—I get it, really. But everyone seems to say it all depends on a woman's cycle. So, if I'm on the pill, my fertile window shouldn't technically overlap with my period, right? Or should I still be using extra protection while I'm bleeding? That’s the part I can't wrap my head around—I haven't been able to find a single clear answer online stating whether 'sex during menstruation, if you are taking birth control pills, is safe' (or isn't) 🙂

When you are on oral contraceptives, your chances of pregnancy remain consistent throughout the entire month. The pill works by preventing ovulation; while it isn't 100% foolproof, your risk of getting pregnant during your period isn't any higher than it is during any other time of the month.

I managed to sort out that issue by running an AT&T update. 🎉
My sincere thanks to everyone for the helpful advice 🙂

melloworca6 said:Is this happening across the entire forum, or is it just limited to certain PDF files?

It’s happening to me across the whole site—every single time I try to open a PDF, a thread, or even just a basic post... everything is affected.🙂

@slywolf45/">@@slywolf45 @melloworca6/">@@melloworca6
Hey ladies—I just finished installing AdBlock on Chrome. The ads are finally gone—which is a relief—but I am still getting that same annoying alert.

slywolf45 said:It’s clearly an issue with McAfee.
I personally run Avast—and honestly, I haven't had a single hiccup. Oh, and by the way... it blocks every single ad I've ever encountered.

How does one actually block ads? Please, someone enlighten me? 🙂

I'm also running into this frustrating issue with the McAfee alert—it’s quite persistent. Has anyone managed to find a reliable fix for it yet?

Is it possible for me to get into Velvet Black? 🙂
Thanks

It is possible—just reach out to Nice.

To whole situation is—forgive my language—absolutely screwed.
@author, things need to be handled through logical steps and a gradual process—there simply isn't a quick or easy fix here.
As I mentioned before, please seek legal counsel; you have access to those local legal aid forums, and surely there is someone there who can point you in the right direction. But you really need to arm yourself with saint-like patience.

Your sister is only six years old—she'll be starting school soon—which is only going to make things even more complicated.

I honestly don't understand why you're feeling sympathy for your mother; she deserves nothing less than being reported so that her custody can be revoked. This shouldn't be viewed as a punishment, but rather as a way to ensure the child is placed in a reasonably stable environment. Please don't hold it against her if she doesn't fully grasp the gravity of what's happening—she is only six, after all. And frankly, it wouldn't hurt you to distance yourself from this toxic environment and focus on fixing your own life. You are twenty-four years old—you aren't obligated to fulfill your mother's duties, which, based on what you wrote about how she brushed you off when she met her current husband, she was clearly never actually acting as a mother to you. You stepped into that role at thirteen—a role you are now performing for your sister. It is truly commendable—I would do the exact same thing for my own sister—but both you and your sister deserve for this to happen in a healthy manner.

A brief side note regarding the accusations of trolling: even if this specific case were some kind of troll story, there is absolutely nothing funny about it. These types of situations are the grim reality for many families. I see nothing wrong with discussing this and trying to offer concrete advice—after all, someone reading this might be facing the exact same struggle.

It is truly commendable that you care so deeply about your sister’s well-being—really, it is—but there is a very fine line between being a devoted sibling and losing your grip on reality, and I fear you are dancing dangerously close to the latter.
I honestly feel this topic might be better suited for a therapist's couch than a US forum, but here we are.

Nothing good will come of this—for you or for her—unless this situation is handled properly. This constant back-and-forth and instability isn't helping anyone, especially not a young child. Please, reach out to Child Protective Services and seek some actual legal counsel. You can find the relevant PDF files online; hopefully, someone there can guide you on whether you can apply for legal guardianship over your sister (which, I assume, is your ultimate goal).

Why doesn't God share His knowledge? Hmmm—I can see three distinct possibilities here.
1) He could, but chooses not to. In that case, He would be inherently malicious and cruel.

2) He lacks the knowledge—meaning man might actually be more perceptive than Him, having clawed his way toward understanding through sheer suffering—or perhaps He simply lacks the power (implying He isn't omnipotent).

3) There is no God.

Personally, I am inclined to believe the third option is the correct one.