Posts by Tyler Diaz4

Sam Hayes said:My dear friends, I’ve finally taken that very first step... I know there is quite a long road ahead of me—it feels a bit daunting, really—but I suppose if I just take things one small step at a time, I'll eventually get where I need to be, slowly but surely. 🙂

Just don't give up, and be prepared for the setbacks🙂 hang in there.👍

Charles Howard said:There’s a significant distinction between praying and "pleading." You probably just had a slip of the tongue...

I don't mean to sound condescending, but I get where you're coming from. It's also important to realize one thing: you don't go to church for the other congregants, or your friends, or even the priest. You go strictly for yourself. You go because you feel a genuine need or desire to be there.

A slip of the tongue; my apologies.🙂

A church ought to be a sanctuary of kindness, hope, truth, and solace—a place to encounter God. Instead, it has become an institution preoccupied with materialization.

In one's relationship with God, through prayer and truth, such an institution isn't required. Not one like this.

But that is beside the point, isn't it?

Charles Howard said:I've gone through the motions of prayer myself, but nothing comes of it. Have you ever thought about just talking? You know, just having a conversation from the heart. That's always worked for me.😁
(And look, I'm not trying to push any particular religious agenda here)😁

Prayer can be helpful at times. When I lived in the USA, attending church provided me with a sense of strength—there was a certain rhythm to everything that felt grounding. These days, however, the local church has become far too commercialized; I find little solace in such an institution.
In those moments, I prefer to escape to the woods to find peace. I seek solitude to clear my head, spending a day or two amidst the rustle of leaves and the sound of a bubbling creek.

brisktiger56 said:It really all comes down to who you end up seeing. For instance, I once ended up in the ER with my kid because of a high fever, and the doctor there immediately prescribed an antibiotic. It was constant chaos, so we went looking for a second opinion. This other doctor did a quick blood test—just a few drops—and determined it was just a virus, noting that an antibiotic could actually do more harm than good in this case.

It's the same story across the board. Some people would probably tell Sam Hayes to jump straight onto antidepressants, while others might suggest a more homeopathic approach.

You have to be careful—you really need to ask a ton of questions before diving headfirst into any kind of treatment...

That is precisely my point—that the easiest path is often just handing over a handful of pills.

Regarding antibiotic use in children, while it isn't the main topic, I believe it sometimes borders on criminal negligence. It isn't always about ignorance; sometimes it's pure laziness, which can cause significant harm.

Anyway, I seem to be talking to myself.😱

Sam Hayes said:Personally, I think I’d probably go with some kind of spiritual psychologist 🙂

We all find ourselves needing that kind of "spiritual" guidance occasionally, yet a true psychotherapist serves both roles simultaneously.

slymaker9 said:She has what we Americans call "issues," and a psychologist would be her best bet.
Regarding the cost, a psychotherapy session realistically costs more than a bottle of meds.
For instance, Ad Cipralex costs $50, and I’d wager an hour of therapy costs at least that much if you're paying out of pocket.
Sometimes medication is necessary just to get a person's energy levels high enough to function and even engage in therapy itself.

I believe antidepressants might actually be more expensive, though I haven't worked in that field for quite some time, so I can't say for certain without checking.
While medication provides essential support, the real issue is that we tend to avoid prevention. We wait until a situation spirals out of control before seeking psychiatric help—which, unfortunately, isn't easily accessible to the general public due to costs—leading to long-term reliance on medication.

I'm not sure if my point is coming across clearly?

slymaker9 said:The best kind of support is a solid friend who knows how to deal with it.🙂

I agree; having good friends around provides exactly the kind of support you're looking for. To build on what Tyler Diaz4 mentioned regarding chemical support—namely medication—it is my professional opinion that one also needs expert guidance. Sometimes you need someone professional and neutral, yet still trustworthy enough to truly open up to.
The issue we face here is that instead of investing time and resources into counseling, education, or proper guidance, we often opt for expensive pharmaceutical interventions. We end up masking the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.

Sam Hayes said:Honestly, I don't take any medication, and I really have no desire to start—I feel like it would just make me drift even further away from reality, which is the last thing I need 😁
I’ve been trying so hard to stay grounded and present, but it feels like an uphill battle lately... I suppose it’s common knowledge that for an average person to just function normally, you need a little bit of everything, and a sense of moderation in all things... but I can't help feeling this massive void in my life, and maybe I'm just trying to fill it with something else, which ends up leading to these cycles of excess... there's just no balance here, let alone any sense of moderation... I don't know, maybe I'm just overly sensitive, or perhaps I'm being selfish and only focusing on my own needs, or maybe I'm just way too obsessed with the tiny details—I honestly can't say for sure... I just know that I wasn't even like this back when I was a teenager 😬 and there's clearly too much of one thing and not enough of another, which is why I find myself in this state 👍

Support doesn't have to mean medication; it can come from someone who is trained to help.

dustyskipper3 said:I suppose we could look at all these various states as being tied to specific energies. Most people assume it’s strictly a matter of chemistry, so they turn to alcohol, prescription pills, or even harder substances, thinking they can just force themselves to be happy or upbeat through willpower. But I think that’s a mistake. You end up numbing your brain's receptors, which means you eventually need larger and larger doses of whatever substance is boosting your serotonin or dopamine levels. Plus, by doing that, you’re essentially destroying the chemical foundation required for motivation—which really ought to trigger a natural cycle of producing those substances on its own. In fact, forcing this kind of chemical "positive energy" might actually lead to an accumulation of constant, static "negative energy," which is basically what that state of "blackness" you mentioned feels like. After that, you just feel completely spent and exhausted. I guess that isn't such a huge issue when you're young because you can recharge your batteries quite easily, but once you pass 40, things get pretty difficult, and some of the most persistent users don't even make it to fifty. If you focus on generating positive energy naturally, your serotonin and dopamine will adjust themselves through homeostasis, so there isn't any excessive depletion or receptor overstimulation, and your thoughts tend to stay clearer and more fluid. This seems particularly important because people can get high off drugs, or even just too much caffeine, for instance, but then they lose their mental clarity; their thought process becomes jumbled or totally clouded, and they can even become aggressive. Then, inevitably, there is that crash into numbness and fatigue.

So, how does one actually produce positive energy? I suppose it requires becoming aware of the different energies surrounding us and trying to repel the negative ones while attracting the positive ones. These energies are perceived on an abstract level, perhaps through a "spiritual eye." Also, first and foremost, one has to overcome their own spiritual laziness. I mean, the initial human impulse is usually "I don't feel like doing this," or wondering why one should bother when they could just go out for a beer or something like that. But, I think, it is worth it. On the other hand, you could visit someone who is already very energetically strong so they can "charge" you with positive energy—maybe see a bioenergy healer, for example—or you could carry a crystal that holds the energetic imprint of such a person, allowing you to constantly absorb that positivity. There was a time when so-called "Bach flowers" were popular, which is somewhat similar to a spiritual "holy water." That also has some short-term effect. Of course, there are plenty of charlatans out there selling "energized water" for exorbitant prices. In my opinion, the value of the effect is inversely proportional to the price. The more expensive it is, the worse it tends to be. Ideally, these kinds of services shouldn't cost more than $17. Truly, the best way is to bring yourself into a sufficiently positive state so that you produce your own positive energy, but to achieve that, you probably need to clear out all forms of chemicals, maintain a proper vegetarian diet, maybe practice some form of asceticism... But if I had to say, the key is really changing your perception and developing the ability to sense the various types of energy around us. That allows you to focus on the specific energy you want to invite in and pull yourself out of the "blackness"; otherwise, you're just wandering aimlessly, sinking deeper into the thick mire of that darkness.

Changing one's perception is quite difficult without support.😳

Mark Bishop3 said:I fish the Mississippi River—whether I'm using a jig, spinning, or whatever else works—and I can't wait for mid-January to start chasing bass. There is nothing quite like the thrill of the strike. Being out there at dawn, around 4:30 AM, watching the sunrise while the fish are biting... it’s something special.

For me, the real pleasure lies in fishing mountain rivers and streams.
Chasing trout through nearly untouched wilderness... it provides an escape from all the negative energy accumulated while living in a frantic, destructive urban environment.

Along the way, you might even forage for some wild mushrooms or other forest treasures.

My other passion is hiking. It’s painful for those who aren't prepared when they run into a traveler on thin continental tires—even worse is some city girl with her melodic "oh my" who insists on adding salt to the wound, especially when she shouts "water!" on a drive toward the coast and ends up pulling a few pounds of squid out of the ocean.

copperharbor4 said:I'd love some recommendations for a decent GP in Cherry Hill, specifically at the health center near the park. They don't need to be perfect—just someone with even remotely positive reviews. For anything serious, I’ll just go to a private specialist anyway. 🙄

I rarely visit the doctor, but since moving, I picked a physician at random from the directory and have been thoroughly unimpressed. To make matters worse, my current doctor isn't even there anymore; she's being replaced by someone who seems to think graduating med school overnight makes her an expert. She's incredibly condescending and clearly lacks experience. She spends the entire appointment flipping through textbooks for every minor thing I mention, only to confirm what I already knew without even bothering to actually examine me. It's exhausting.

I urgently need a decent general practitioner. Any leads would be appreciated. 😢

Dr. Linda Miller

A walking encyclopedia.

Casey Palmer5 said:Given that kids are becoming sexually active as early as 15 or 16 these days—yes—it is a reasonable time for some sort of intervention. Whether vaccination itself is the right move is something I won't weigh in on; I don't think the public sees enough of both sides of the argument, nor am I an expert. Ultimately, the choice lies with the parents, provided they are sufficiently informed.

Can a parent truly make a sound decision when they are being bombarded by advertisements, conflicting guidance from two major public health agencies, and even contradictory opinions from their own doctors?
Is the priority actually administering vaccines, or should we be focusing on high-quality prevention regarding the transmission of all STDs?
The vaccine costs about $800$333. If that same amount per child were invested in comprehensive preventative measures within a city like Washington, D.C., I suspect we would see much better results.

Everyone is entitled to their own perspective.

Is it standard practice to vaccinate young girls against STDs while they're still in the 7th grade?
Should we really be among the first to use our children as test subjects for a new vaccine?
Why isn't that massive budget being redirected toward prevention and education programs more suited to their age group?
What message are we sending by vaccinating a 14-year-old girl against sexually transmitted diseases?

I am firmly opposed to this.

An excerpt from a statement by the CDC; I personally find their experts far more competent than certain political structures here in the US.

"City initiatives to vaccinate girls who desire it (with parental consent) at specific ages, most commonly around the 7th grade, lack public health justification, as such significant funding yields minimal to no measurable public health impact."

@Sandra Martin72/">@@Sandra Martin72
The individual asked a question; the least one can do is provide an answer or a link where the answer might be found.

When using hydrocolloid dressings, simply rinsing the wound with saline—or even just a quick shower—is perfectly fine, though opinions on that vary. If you notice any signs of infection, applying Aquacel AG might be a good idea; it looks like felt initially but turns into a gel, which can then be covered with an Extrathin secondary dressing. Anything that appears unsightly, smelly, or slimy is a normal part of how these dressings work, so there's no need for concern. As Scott Allen10 so clearly explained, the application process is straightforward. Since you are in a hurry, you can pick up these dressings at local pharmacies. It seems Stoma Medical has its own retail outlet; their main office is located at 121 Savish Street where they can provide more details, and if your doctor deems it necessary, it may be covered by Medicare. With this type of dressing, you can bathe without any worry.

Donna Lewis49 said:It does. It’s valid for 30 days from the date of issue (within that window, you have to see a specialist, and they will schedule your appointment based on when you are set to Order).

Or rather, it's 30 days from the initial consultation if the referral specifies multiple visits.

And of course, you could technically "manually" alter the date on a referral, but don't push your luck; every referral has a serial number used to track how "old" it actually is.

Alternatively, you can simply take the old one back to your primary care physician and get a new, valid one.

That isn't true. A patient shouldn't be altering a referral; the doctor changes the date and validates it with a stamp and signature. If the series is still valid, the doctor doesn't need to issue a whole new referral—they just update the date.

According to Deloitte, they know exactly when and by whom a referral was issued.

duplicate

briskskipper71 said:it could be Brugada syndrome—quit smoking immediately.

It certainly has all the hallmarks.

A solid vascular profile would confirm it.

It is the fundamental responsibility of a primary care physician to conduct an examination, establish a diagnosis, and provide initial treatment. Only when they reach the limits of their expertise should a referral to a specialist be made. These family doctors hold advanced certifications for a reason, even if they act as though they are the sole authority in their practice. Consider the alternative: if you lived in a rural area, would you expect a surgeon to perform basic procedures for pennies? In this instance, the surgeon simply did what was necessary; if the CDC guidelines cannot address a specific issue, a referral is required. How else could they justify the procedure from a billing standpoint? Treating a groin abscess isn't within a gynecologist's scope, much like you wouldn't visit a dentist for an issue on your forehead. It seems these practitioners have lost sight of their primary roles, leaving surgeons to deal with minor issues that don't belong in their OR. Furthermore, there is the matter of the nurse; her training is quite extensive and costly, and she should have been able to assess and explain the situation. That falls squarely within her job description, regardless of whether her training is associate's or bachelor's level. If she lacks the composure to explain things without shouting for someone to get out, then it's clear which medical board she should report to.
You have options: switch doctors, file a formal complaint with the medical board, or remain silent.

Brenda Carter24 said:But does it still count tomorrow?
I believe I would go tomorrow..

Yes, the referral remains valid for thirty days.

Brenda Carter24 said:Hello.
I picked up my referral on February 28th.
I completely lost track of my appointment; it’s scheduled for tomorrow, March 28th. Does my current referral still hold, or will I need to request a new one?😢
Hello.😳

The referral is valid through March 28th. However, if your appointment is scheduled for later, you can simply have your primary care physician extend the same one.