Posts by wiredraven82

Emily Ward56 said:You totally forgot to include Rob Reiner (Stand by Me, Misery...) in the poll. 😉

I’ll get around to "filling out" the survey later—but honestly, I think I’m just going to pick "Undecided." There are way too many directors whose work I genuinely love and adore; trying to single out just one "best" is a mission impossible, so... yeah, it's a tough call. 😍

Stand by Me (1986) is easily in my top five films of all time, but I didn't list him—and look what happens... It’s hard to let a single movie that means this much to me dictate how I categorize entire directors, ugh... if I followed that logic, this list would never end. I hope you don't mind. 🙂

I did my best to stick to the names I intended to use; I actually got a bit turned around trying to keep track of everyone—worried I might have accidentally doubled up on a name—but I checked, and I haven't.

I’ve decided to dive headfirst into something massive—opening a poll that, frankly, I suspect terrifies you just as much as it does me. It feels like a chore because, honestly, how do you even begin to pick a single "best" director when you're drowning in a sea of absolute legends? There's no easy math for this. At least for me, there's no other way forward than to balance objective criteria with my own subjective gut feelings—because, let’s be real, that’s ultimately what it comes down to. You can’t just ignore personal taste; if someone simply lives for the work of a specific filmmaker, they shouldn't hesitate to cast their vote.

My only real fear here is making a catastrophic blunder by leaving someone out of the running—though, given the constraints of a poll, there’s a limit to how many slots we actually have to work with.

Limiting myself to just one vote for a single director is genuinely difficult—for me, at least. It feels a bit like asking a Catholic to choose between God and Jesus, though I wish it were that simple.

For me, the two greatest films ever made are Godfather and Godfather 2—there is absolutely zero debate there. But even then, I find myself hesitating: do I vote for Coppola because those two films are my all-time favorites, and because his masterpiece "Apocalypse Now" is so incredibly dear to me? Then again, I have Scorsese on my mind, and then there's Stanley Kubrick—to whom I essentially bow as a visionary without equal. 2001: A Space Odyssey is, hands down, the best sci-fi ever filmed; I don't even need to mention his other work. And then there’s my beloved Tarantino—specifically the older version of him—not to mention Hitchcock... or Sergio Leone... or De Palma... man, I could go on like this until tomorrow.

Then you have the modern guard, like Nolan... who absolutely deserves a spot on this list. I mean, the guy has multiple films in the top 250 on IMDb—how many is that now? Three, four, five? It’s actually staggering.

I won't list them all; I’d never finish. This poll is a mess, I’m telling you. I just hope I haven't overlooked anyone vital.

When I finally step back and weigh everything, I’m choosing STANLEY KUBRICK as my favorite director.🙂 Following him, it’s Coppola, because of the Godfather films, and then everyone else follows—even if the differences between them are razor-thin. It actually hurts a little to think about the dozens of others I'm leaving out, but you know as well as I do that we're talking about mere nuances here. Or maybe they aren't even nuances; I don't even know what separates them anymore, but a choice has to be made.

I love every single director on this list, period. But that’s the challenge: try to marry your objective logic with your subjective heart and just cast your vote.

I haven't actually sat down to watch the movie yet, but looking at this thread at first glance, I honestly thought someone was quoting that classic "Serenity Now" bit from a Seinfeld episode: 🤣

mellownomad30 said:hey everyone

first off, just a heads up—this is strictly my own take on things. I’m trying to kick off a discussion from a more philosophical angle, even though most people here just tend to shove their personal biases down everyone's throats. honestly, that's fine by me; your bias is basically what builds your whole philosophy anyway.

I haven't actually sat down and read any books by the "real" heavy-hitter philosophers. I skimmed some stuff on "moral relativism"—can't even remember the author because it was pretty twisted and didn't really click with me.

but man, it's wild how most "philosophical" debates just end up being people recycling quotes or rephrasing a handful of guys who've been dead for centuries.

hardly anyone actually pushes the topic further than just applying some stale, pre-packaged versions of ethics or morality.

having lurked on this forum for a few years now, whenever I drop in, it feels less like a community and more like some weird social experiment that I happen to be watching from the sidelines.

the bottom line I've landed on is this: humans are just animals.

let me break that down and get ahead of the inevitable backlash: people are fundamentally selfish. everything is about "me" first.

I tried testing this out with a little mental exercise:

look at my basic needs—what am I actually looking for? food, drink, sex, warmth, affection (fill in the blanks as you see fit)—it's always easier to grab those things if I use other people to get them. so, I start layering on all these manufactured moral and ethical codes...
I try to squeeze out as much benefit for myself as possible while staying within the lines of that "morality," essentially masking my true self.

it sounds blunt, and look, writing isn't exactly my forte, but I'm convinced everyone operates on this exact same frequency. kindness and solidarity? they're just convenient fictions we made up; they aren't baked into our DNA.

everyone wants to be the alpha in the pack because it serves the individual interest. you can see it in action: anyone jumping into an argument with me is just trying to prove they're superior.
I'm sure someone's gonna chime in saying, "No way, I just want to find myself and be a good person." But seriously, think about the actual motives there. Why would you do that? If you show people your "true" face, you're just lowering your status in the pack.

In my book, almost every decision a person makes starts with one question: how is everyone else going to perceive this?

anyway, those are my thoughts. I got there just by observing myself and how I carry myself around others.

maybe take a harder look at your own motives?

Everything you just laid out applies to animals too—but let’s be real—the fallout from consuming all that stuff is uniquely human. It isn't about biology; it's about the specific, messy consequences that only our species deals with.

Have you ever actually sat and observed a Snail lost in a bout of depression? Or perhaps witnessed a Lion spiraling into a depressive state? It’s a grim thought, but there is a profound distinction to be made here—a human being isn't quite an animal in that sense. We are essentially slaves to our own cognitive processes—mental loops that, more often than not, we lack the tools to regulate. These thoughts don't just sit there; they breed. They spawn new layers of irrational fear, which then triggers a desperate attempt at analysis. You end up trying to solve a problem using the very same broken logic that created it, effectively paralyzing yourself in a feedback loop of pure, unadulterated mental stagnation.

mellownomad30 said:hey everyone

first off, just a heads up—this is strictly my own take on things. I’m trying to kick off a discussion from a more philosophical angle, even though most people here just tend to shove their personal biases down everyone's throats. honestly, that's fine by me; your bias is basically what builds your whole philosophy anyway.

I haven't actually sat down and read any books by the "real" heavy-hitter philosophers. I skimmed some stuff on "moral relativism"—can't even remember the author because it was pretty twisted and didn't really click with me.

but man, it's wild how most "philosophical" debates just end up being people recycling quotes or rephrasing a handful of guys who've been dead for centuries.

hardly anyone actually pushes the topic further than just applying some stale, pre-packaged versions of ethics or morality.

having lurked on this forum for a few years now, whenever I drop in, it feels less like a community and more like some weird social experiment that I happen to be watching from the sidelines.

the bottom line I've landed on is this: humans are just animals.

let me break that down and get ahead of the inevitable backlash: people are fundamentally selfish. everything is about "me" first.

I tried testing this out with a little mental exercise:

look at my basic needs—what am I actually looking for? food, drink, sex, warmth, affection (fill in the blanks as you see fit)—it's always easier to grab those things if I use other people to get them. so, I start layering on all these manufactured moral and ethical codes...
I try to squeeze out as much benefit for myself as possible while staying within the lines of that "morality," essentially masking my true self.

it sounds blunt, and look, writing isn't exactly my forte, but I'm convinced everyone operates on this exact same frequency. kindness and solidarity? they're just convenient fictions we made up; they aren't baked into our DNA.

everyone wants to be the alpha in the pack because it serves the individual interest. you can see it in action: anyone jumping into an argument with me is just trying to prove they're superior.
I'm sure someone's gonna chime in saying, "No way, I just want to find myself and be a good person." But seriously, think about the actual motives there. Why would you do that? If you show people your "true" face, you're just lowering your status in the pack.

In my book, almost every decision a person makes starts with one question: how is everyone else going to perceive this?

anyway, those are my thoughts. I got there just by observing myself and how I carry myself around others.

maybe take a harder look at your own motives?

You’ve got it all wrong—let me lay out a scenario for you: imagine you’re standing face-to-face with a predator, say a Lion, and you’re completely unarmed. What’s your move? You aren't going to sit there and weigh the pros and cons; you’re going to run, or you’re going to fight like hell to stay alive. Is that fear, or is it just pure survival instinct? In that split second, there isn't room for deep contemplation—you just react. Fear is a product of thought, a mental construct—but goodness? Goodness is something you simply act upon as a human being. Of course, there are always outliers who break the rule, but generally speaking, that's how it works.

Macbel As stated by:
Everyone is obsessed with playing the "alpha" role in social circles—it’s a calculated move, really—because they think it maximizes their own individual leverage. It’s pure self-interest masquerading as dominance. In fact, you can see this play out in real-time quite easily: anyone who tries to jump into an argument with me is essentially just attempting to validate their own status by trying to prove they’re superior. It’s a transparent little power struggle, and frankly, it's exhausting to watch.

I’ll say it again: most of this behavior is driven by nothing more than a deep-seated fear of social judgment—it's pure, unadulterated insecurity about how others perceive you. Of course, there's a distinction to be made when someone is actually trying to build a foundation for their family or ensure their kids have a decent shot at a comfortable life; that's practical. But this constant, frantic striving to climb the social ladder and assert "alpha" dominance? In my view, that’s just another symptom of being terrified of what the neighbors might think.

mellownomad30 said:hey everyone

first off, just a heads up—this is strictly my own take on things. I’m trying to kick off a discussion from a more philosophical angle, even though most people here just tend to shove their personal biases down everyone's throats. honestly, that's fine by me; your bias is basically what builds your whole philosophy anyway.

I haven't actually sat down and read any books by the "real" heavy-hitter philosophers. I skimmed some stuff on "moral relativism"—can't even remember the author because it was pretty twisted and didn't really click with me.

but man, it's wild how most "philosophical" debates just end up being people recycling quotes or rephrasing a handful of guys who've been dead for centuries.

hardly anyone actually pushes the topic further than just applying some stale, pre-packaged versions of ethics or morality.

having lurked on this forum for a few years now, whenever I drop in, it feels less like a community and more like some weird social experiment that I happen to be watching from the sidelines.

the bottom line I've landed on is this: humans are just animals.

let me break that down and get ahead of the inevitable backlash: people are fundamentally selfish. everything is about "me" first.

I tried testing this out with a little mental exercise:

look at my basic needs—what am I actually looking for? food, drink, sex, warmth, affection (fill in the blanks as you see fit)—it's always easier to grab those things if I use other people to get them. so, I start layering on all these manufactured moral and ethical codes...
I try to squeeze out as much benefit for myself as possible while staying within the lines of that "morality," essentially masking my true self.

it sounds blunt, and look, writing isn't exactly my forte, but I'm convinced everyone operates on this exact same frequency. kindness and solidarity? they're just convenient fictions we made up; they aren't baked into our DNA.

everyone wants to be the alpha in the pack because it serves the individual interest. you can see it in action: anyone jumping into an argument with me is just trying to prove they're superior.
I'm sure someone's gonna chime in saying, "No way, I just want to find myself and be a good person." But seriously, think about the actual motives there. Why would you do that? If you show people your "true" face, you're just lowering your status in the pack.

In my book, almost every decision a person makes starts with one question: how is everyone else going to perceive this?

anyway, those are my thoughts. I got there just by observing myself and how I carry myself around others.

maybe take a harder look at your own motives?

Well, you’ve gone and done it—you just confirmed exactly what I laid out for you earlier. It’s that classic, paralyzing fear of what the herd thinks. Honestly, it’s a bit absurd; it's like you asking me who I am, when in reality, I should be asking you the same thing. With a mindset like that—constantly looking over your shoulder to see if the crowd approves—who are you, really? Do you even have a sense of self? 🙂

mellownomad30 said:hey everyone

first off, just a heads up—this is strictly my own take on things. I’m trying to kick off a discussion from a more philosophical angle, even though most people here just tend to shove their personal biases down everyone's throats. honestly, that's fine by me; your bias is basically what builds your whole philosophy anyway.

I haven't actually sat down and read any books by the "real" heavy-hitter philosophers. I skimmed some stuff on "moral relativism"—can't even remember the author because it was pretty twisted and didn't really click with me.

but man, it's wild how most "philosophical" debates just end up being people recycling quotes or rephrasing a handful of guys who've been dead for centuries.

hardly anyone actually pushes the topic further than just applying some stale, pre-packaged versions of ethics or morality.

having lurked on this forum for a few years now, whenever I drop in, it feels less like a community and more like some weird social experiment that I happen to be watching from the sidelines.

the bottom line I've landed on is this: humans are just animals.

let me break that down and get ahead of the inevitable backlash: people are fundamentally selfish. everything is about "me" first.

I tried testing this out with a little mental exercise:

look at my basic needs—what am I actually looking for? food, drink, sex, warmth, affection (fill in the blanks as you see fit)—it's always easier to grab those things if I use other people to get them. so, I start layering on all these manufactured moral and ethical codes...
I try to squeeze out as much benefit for myself as possible while staying within the lines of that "morality," essentially masking my true self.

it sounds blunt, and look, writing isn't exactly my forte, but I'm convinced everyone operates on this exact same frequency. kindness and solidarity? they're just convenient fictions we made up; they aren't baked into our DNA.

everyone wants to be the alpha in the pack because it serves the individual interest. you can see it in action: anyone jumping into an argument with me is just trying to prove they're superior.
I'm sure someone's gonna chime in saying, "No way, I just want to find myself and be a good person." But seriously, think about the actual motives there. Why would you do that? If you show people your "true" face, you're just lowering your status in the pack.

In my book, almost every decision a person makes starts with one question: how is everyone else going to perceive this?

anyway, those are my thoughts. I got there just by observing myself and how I carry myself around others.

maybe take a harder look at your own motives?

Bravo—though I wouldn’t say everyone agrees; in fact, most people don't.

mellownomad30 said:hey everyone

first off, just a heads up—this is strictly my own take on things. I’m trying to kick off a discussion from a more philosophical angle, even though most people here just tend to shove their personal biases down everyone's throats. honestly, that's fine by me; your bias is basically what builds your whole philosophy anyway.

I haven't actually sat down and read any books by the "real" heavy-hitter philosophers. I skimmed some stuff on "moral relativism"—can't even remember the author because it was pretty twisted and didn't really click with me.

but man, it's wild how most "philosophical" debates just end up being people recycling quotes or rephrasing a handful of guys who've been dead for centuries.

hardly anyone actually pushes the topic further than just applying some stale, pre-packaged versions of ethics or morality.

having lurked on this forum for a few years now, whenever I drop in, it feels less like a community and more like some weird social experiment that I happen to be watching from the sidelines.

the bottom line I've landed on is this: humans are just animals.

let me break that down and get ahead of the inevitable backlash: people are fundamentally selfish. everything is about "me" first.

I tried testing this out with a little mental exercise:

look at my basic needs—what am I actually looking for? food, drink, sex, warmth, affection (fill in the blanks as you see fit)—it's always easier to grab those things if I use other people to get them. so, I start layering on all these manufactured moral and ethical codes...
I try to squeeze out as much benefit for myself as possible while staying within the lines of that "morality," essentially masking my true self.

it sounds blunt, and look, writing isn't exactly my forte, but I'm convinced everyone operates on this exact same frequency. kindness and solidarity? they're just convenient fictions we made up; they aren't baked into our DNA.

everyone wants to be the alpha in the pack because it serves the individual interest. you can see it in action: anyone jumping into an argument with me is just trying to prove they're superior.
I'm sure someone's gonna chime in saying, "No way, I just want to find myself and be a good person." But seriously, think about the actual motives there. Why would you do that? If you show people your "true" face, you're just lowering your status in the pack.

In my book, almost every decision a person makes starts with one question: how is everyone else going to perceive this?

anyway, those are my thoughts. I got there just by observing myself and how I carry myself around others.

maybe take a harder look at your own motives?

Your thoughts aren't truly yours—they're just the byproduct of the society you live in and the influences you've passively accepted over time. You need to take a hard look at your own motives for even starting this thread. What is it that you’re actually trying to achieve here? Are you really critiquing others, or are you just projecting your own insecurities onto them?

I don't see much point in constantly debating which films reign supreme—it’s all subjective, after all. That said, I finally sat down and organized my own definitive rankings. Here is my personal take on the

top 50 Movies of All time

🙂

In my opinion, Fight Club doesn't quite measure up to the rest—and look, I think there’s a massive pile of other films out there that absolutely crush Fight Club any day of the week, anywhere you go. It deserves a spot in the conversation, sure, but calling it one of the top 10? Not happening. Don't get me wrong, the movie is great, but let's be real...☕

For me, there isn't even a debate when it comes to which masterpiece stands at the summit of this list: The Godfather Part I.

Please don't move this thread over to the vision discussion sub-forum. It’s pretty obvious that people there don't check in often enough to offer any meaningful advice or perspectives—so I’m going to restate my concerns here. I actually already sent a DM to a fellow member who offered some insight regarding eyesight, but I'm putting the question back out there. And again, please leave this where it is; honestly, it might not be strictly an issue with my vision:

Before I head to see my doctor, I’d appreciate some input on what could be causing this. For about a week now—maybe longer—I’ve been experiencing these moments of darkness, almost like a sudden dimming or shadowing when I look around. It’s particularly intense when the lights are on; there's this overwhelming sense of heaviness and darkness clouding my sight...

Oh, and another thing—there’s this sensation, like something is just "sitting" right above my eyes in the sinus area. I’m currently dealing with a cold, and I’ve had sinus issues in the past. They aren't exactly painful right now, though I do get these sharp, stabbing sensations occasionally—not true pain, just a prickling. Is it possible this is all stemming from my sinuses? To be completely blunt, I’m starting to feel a bit of genuine anxiety here—worried about what happens if it *isn't* just my sinuses.

For context, I am nearsighted. I’ve had a prescription of at least -1.00 for two years now, but I haven't bothered getting glasses or actually wearing them yet. Could that lack of correction be playing a role in this?

Coincidentally, for about two weeks now, I’ve also been feeling some discomfort in my left arm—specifically a dull ache just above the elbow—and I’m getting some slight numbness in my middle finger along with the two fingers adjacent to it.

Just to provide more data: I had blood work done about two months ago. Everything came back looking solid—my thyroid hormones were fine, iron levels were normal, the whole nine yards—though my red blood cell count was slightly elevated. Overall, though, the results were good.

I have heard some talk suggesting this could be a circulation issue, but I can't really base anything on hearsay. I am scheduled to see my physician, but I wanted to get your honest, unfiltered opinions first.

Thank you all very much in advance.

@Steven Thomas5/">@@Steven Thomas5

You can view the Punisher however you want, but let's stick to the facts:
1. He is easily the most grounded "hero" in Marvel's lineup—and in my book, he absolutely is a hero.
2. The character forces us to confront some massive philosophical, sociological, and moral questions—specifically, should we fight evil and crime using its own brutal methods? Look, I’m no God, so I won't claim to have the ultimate answer, but I find myself completely locked in while watching him take out those psychos—especially when he makes them pay before pulling the trigger. I am fully on board with his philosophy regarding certain types of evil; predators, killers, and abusers deserve a bullet straight to the head—though, honestly, making them suffer first would be more fitting, since a bullet is almost too merciful.
3. The way the Punisher operates—that direct approach to eradicating evil—is ten times more effective than the legal system. Now, whether that is morally "right" is a different story, but if you want an opinion on that, just ask any person living in a place where they are actually suffering under that kind of criminality.

briskhound2 said:They didn't have the legal clearance to use the logo—that's why it’s missing. It wasn't a matter of them being unable to print a shirt with it or anything like that.

Good grief, right—I completely forgot about that detail. Regardless, that wasn't really my main point.

briskhound2 said:The director was more than up to the task; he executed exactly what was envisioned. A Punisher story set in a Western atmosphere. Now, having a budget the size of a peanut is a different story—it’s certainly not the visual spectacle you see in modern adaptations. But Thomas Jane truly nailed the role, he even put together that little clip for the fans. 😁

😲😲 Damn, Deckard Care, I hadn't seen this yet—holy hell... Pure brutality. That's the stuff. Adding this to my favorites immediately.

redmarlin27 said:You dodged the Punisher movie with Dolph Lundgren.

I didn't dodge him—I'm just trashing a movie where the logic was basically non-existent unless they decided to use CGI to fix everything; which, let's be honest, should have been the Punisher's trademark at this point. Seriously, WTF? That kind of stuff just... does it for me. 🙂 So, for me, it isn't really Punisher; it’s just some random guy played by Dolph Lundgren.

And honestly, that movie with Thomas Jane could have been absolutely stellar if they had actually hired a director who knew what they were doing. Instead, it turned out just okay—and for me, Thomas Jane was the only thing perfect about the role. That was it. I’m holding out hope that someone will finally tackle the dark essence of Punisher in a masterful way—ideally with Jane back in the role—because you could make a movie and a half out of this character if you leaned into the darkness, rather than trying to reinvent the wheel with some pseudo-"dark Spider-Man" concept or whatever else.

If there is an intention to make a serious, gritty, realistic hero film along the lines of Nolan's Batman, but within the Marvel universe, I think Punisher is the perfect candidate. But apparently, he isn't "popular" enough for some people, or maybe he doesn't fit the mold of a typical hero fighting evil—mostly because he isn't some sanitized Boy Scout (and I'm not talking about Batman here); he is a literal force of nature when it comes to crime. To quote him:

"In certain extreme situations the law is inadequate. In order to shame its inadequacy it is necessary to act outside the law to pursue natural Justice" 😁.

Alright everyone, let's kick things off—I want to start a thread about who your favorite Marvel hero or group of heroes is (if you prefer teams over solo acts).

For me, my absolute favorite Marvel character—and honestly, he isn't even a "superhero" in the traditional sense—has been the Punisher since I was a kid reading the comics all the way through to today. There are several reasons for this. First off, I am completely obsessed with his philosophy regarding the fight against crime and evil; the idea that you combat evil using its own logic is just visceral. Watching him take down drug lords, assassins, and the rest of that filth... it’s almost like a drug to me. 😁 Second, he’s just an ordinary man without any superpowers, yet he is fully equipped with peak soldier-level skills and intelligence—taking a regular human to the absolute limit—supplemented by high-end weaponry and, of course, that legendary skull emblem on his chest.

Unfortunately, we haven't been blessed with one truly great Punisher film, but personally, I found the 2004 Punisher film to be quite solid; I’d give it a 6.5/10. To my mind, Thomas Jane was the perfect Punisher—the literal embodiment of the character on screen. If they ever decide to do a reboot, it HAS to be the Punisher, period.

Punisher War Zone was a massive disappointment to me; the 2004 version is much better by comparison. On that note, I'll leave here a video Tribute I put together for the Punisher:

[HD] The Punisher 2004 - Tribute after Punisher

After the Punisher, my favorites are Daredevil, then Spidey, then the Avengers as a whole, and finally Wolverine as a standalone character.

That's my list. So, tell me—who has been your top Marvel hero since childhood? I mean, from the early comic book days right up to the modern films? Why them? And what did you think of their cinematic adaptations (assuming your favorite actually made it to the big screen)?

Roger Allen3 said:He’s absolutely brilliant at what he does, yet everything he puts out is total garbage. Honestly, what kind of logic is that? 🤦

Hold on—that's exactly where the point lies. That is the whole philosophy behind it. Sure, we can sit here and agree that his work is "garbage," but there are people out there who actually look for that specific kind of trash sometimes. Look, even I have those moments where I just want to sink into some mindless, transparent blockbuster "trash." It might be objectively terrible, yeah, but that doesn't mean it has no place. My collection is anchored by actual masterpieces—stuff like the Godfather, Seven, Rocky, Shawshank, and that whole crew I turn to when I actually want to watch something meaningful. But honestly? Sometimes you just need some junk to switch your brain off. And that's where Michael Bay comes in—he produces high-quality garbage. Whatever that means, I suppose, since there are plenty of different flavors of garbage to choose from. 😁

I wouldn't go so far as to label him a bad director. Sure, he might not be sitting at the absolute summit of the industry, but calling him "bad" feels like a massive reach—and honestly, I think anyone making that claim is just proving their own lack of perspective. I’d argue that Michael Bay is actually excellent at exactly what he sets out to do. It’s a lot like basketball; you can't have a roster full of nothing but flashy playmakers and sharpshooting guards. Someone has to step up and handle the grit and the dirty work on the court to make the team function, even if those "artistic purists" who obsess over technical elegance usually prefer the guys pulling the strings or sinking the threes. I think that covers my stance on the matter.

Look, the first one was genuinely solid—it actually worked. But this second installment? It’s got that classic "just okay" syndrome, which is unfortunately way too common in horror sequels, if not in the genre as a whole.

frozenorca63 said:I’m with you on that—I deal with anxiety myself, and I’ve also got hypothyroidism to contend with. 😢Personally, I find having health insurance makes everything a bit easier to manage. But lately, I’ve been noticing a massive surge in people presenting with symptoms that are clearly just fallout from stress, anxiety, or panic disorders. It’s a pattern—as I mentioned earlier, when you’re actually dealing with a serious, underlying illness, those symptoms don't just pop up once in a while; they are constant. They’re relentless. With panic attacks, sure, they hit you sporadically. And look, anxiety is a whole different beast entirely... but there's a distinction to be made here. When I was battling a brain tumor, my head didn't just ache four times a month—it hurt every single day. It wasn't some occasional shift in how I felt; it was a total transformation of my entire being, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. So, when someone tells me their symptoms are intermittent, my gut tells me it's stress rather than a life-threatening pathology. Even his doctor seems to be leaning toward the stress theory.

Look, I’ll be straight with you—about a month ago, I started hearing this constant ringing in my ears. I’m not going to lie, it spooked me quite a bit; I know someone who deals with this kind of thing constantly, and they eventually become hyper-fixated on it—always straining to listen, wondering if they can hear something that isn't actually there. Then, things took a turn. I started dealing with sweaty palms, heart palpitations, the whole works. But honestly, when you bundle all of this together, it’s clearly just a massive amount of stress. A month ago, I couldn't have even imagined myself sitting here writing about this, yet here we are.

I’m honestly baffled by how much Normabel actually settles me down—I’ve never really had to rely on it until this current mess. During my checkup yesterday, my doctor told me my heart rate was unusually high for someone my age (I'm only 28)—we're talking 100 to 104 beats per minute—and my blood pressure hit 150/90. It was one of those moments where you just can't believe what you're hearing, because normally I sit right around 80 bpm with a steady 120/80 pressure. To make matters even more confusing, I checked again today and everything looks perfectly normal: 80 beats per minute and 120/80.

Here’s the thing—over the last month, I’ve been dealing with this weird glitch in my system, though it was pretty sporadic at first. I’d say maybe four times total. But then, things shifted. For the past three days straight, I’ve been hit with these sudden bouts of symptoms—my heart starts racing out of nowhere and my palms get all sweaty. It isn’t an all-day ordeal, though; it usually lasts about 20 or 30 minutes, popping up once or twice a day. The strange part is that as soon as I actually decompress and get back to doing what I love, it just vanishes—completely on its own—until I barely even notice it happened.

I’m curious about one thing—have you ever experienced those weird, low-volume "hums" in your ear? Not like a loud ringing, but more of a strange, "raspy" texture to the sound? Along with that, I get this constant popping sensation whenever I swallow or yawn. It actually got to the point where I went to see an ENT specialist at a Mayo Clinic facility in New York City just to get checked out. They told me the inside just looked a bit red and handed me some drops... and while there has been some slight improvement, the symptoms keep resurfacing.

I’ve got bloodwork scheduled for this Tuesday—they’re going to run a full panel, including my hormone levels and checking on my thyroid function—and once that's out of the way, I'll likely be heading straight into an EKG. After all the results are in, we'll finally have a clear picture of what's actually going on.

I should probably mention that my life took a turn quite abruptly—extremely abruptly, actually. It wasn’t some negative shift, mind you; far from it. But it was a change nonetheless. I’ve always considered myself an optimist—a glass-half-full kind of guy—but I’m also a bit of a loner at heart. I’ve mastered the art of being comfortable in my own skin even when I was juggling multiple relationships back in the day, but lately, I’m constantly by someone's side. Honestly? It hasn't been an issue at all. In fact, I’ve adjusted perfectly fine—it’s actually quite great. I don't shy away from the occasional disagreement with the older generation, and I certainly don't fear responsibility. It’s just one of those things where, as the saying goes: I don't know what the hell is going on. 🙂

I only know one thing for certain: I don't do "surrender." I refuse to just sink into the anxiety and let it take over. I’ve always been the type of person who—when things get at their absolute worst—doubles down on the fight instead of throwing in the towel. That’s how I’m handling this, too. So, if this really is clinical anxiety (though, honestly, it might just be straight-up, overwhelming stress)—well, then me and "it" are going to go head-to-head. We'll settle this once and for all. Heh. 😁

frozenorca63 said:I went in, they diagnosed me with mild neurological anxiety and prescribed antidepressants and a handful of other stuff—Lexapro, Ambien, things like that. I eventually decided against taking the antidepressants or the Ambien because I wasn't in a truly desperate state; instead, I started treating myself with St. John's Wort tea, drinking about two cups a day. Whenever a panic attack would hit, I’d just try to stay calm and wait it out—maybe take some Lexapro if needed, but by the time it actually kicked in, the episode was already over 🙂. Personally, I suspect what you're dealing with are panic attacks—if it were something more serious, the symptoms wouldn't be intermittent; they'd be constant. For instance, back when I had a brain tumor, the headaches were persistent, not sporadic. Behavioral changes were also constant, not just happening every now and then..
Now, I know my own body well enough—as soon as I feel anxiety or dizziness or whatever else creeping up, I'll take some Lexapro or go hit a kickboxing class... Basically, just try to eliminate the stress—remove the actual cause of why this is happening. Good luck!

Kuzim, I saw my doctor today and she told me to just take some Lexapro when it hits; she's going to run blood work and an EKG, check my Shield and all that. But honestly, I agree—the best remedy is simply getting rid of the stress.

frozenorca63 said:I’d say you’re dealing with panic attacks. Speaking from my own experience 😢—and look, I’m generally a pretty upbeat, optimistic person—but life throws some curveballs, like losing a job, and suddenly I’m having these attacks quite frequently. It’s unfortunate. It isn't even that I'm consciously choosing to be stressed; it's more likely my subconscious just taking the wheel. I suspect that might be what's happening with you, too.

So, what have you actually done about it? Is there some kind of standard protocol to follow—meaning, have you actually gone to see a doctor yet?🙂

Donna Johnson16 said:Honestly, what else is there to say? If you're dealing with cardiovascular issues, you need to catch them and get treatment immediately—and for heaven's sake, quit smoking. But then again, I have a feeling you're already well aware of that.

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Of course... 🙂

Donna Johnson16 said:you really ought to go get checked out—if only to shut down all those "what if" scenarios currently spinning through your head.

That said, this could very well just be a mild panic attack. Don't take that the wrong way; I'm not saying you're some kind of coward—this is a perfectly natural biological reflex where your body reacts to something it perceives as a threat, whether that threat is actually there or not.

Your adrenaline spikes, your peripheral blood vessels constrict—which leads to that shivering sensation and a racing heart—and then the cold sweats hit. You might even feel dizzy or see spots due to the sudden shift in blood pressure. It's the classic fight-or-flight response; essentially, it's a physiological reaction to stress. This doesn't necessarily mean it will spiral into a chronic disorder or a serious illness, but it is far better to know exactly what happened than to sit there guessing and worrying yourself sick.

Check out this thread here http://www.reddit.com/r/topic and this one over here http://www.reddit.com/r/topic ; they might give you some perspective.

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Well, if this keeps up, I'll head to the doctor. If they tell me to go see a specialist, fine—I'll follow the referrals. And yeah, I'll look through those threads...

I always used to think stuff like this wouldn't happen to me, but here we are. 🙂 Clearly, I'm not a robot... haha. I'm joking, mostly—not that I'm exactly in the mood for jokes right now—but that's just how I am, I try to lighten things up when I can. Seriously though, thank you. You're right; seeing a professional is the most logical move here.

Angela Wright said:You’re showing textbook symptoms of a thyroid issue. You should head to your doctor right away so they can order some hormone panels.
Given how high-pressure life is these days—and just the sheer amount of stress we deal with—these kinds of health hiccups aren't exactly rare anymore. The key is getting a proper diagnosis quickly so you can start treatment; otherwise, things could get much more complicated than they need to be.

The Shield? I’ve never had a single issue with my Shield, goodness gracious... but thanks for the heads-up. If this keeps up, I’ll definitely see a doctor and lay it all out for them. Though, I have to ask—why isn't it true that Shield issues are mostly a woman's thing? And for what it's worth, I don't have any of those swallowing difficulties that some people with those disorders seem to struggle with.