Posts by shadowharbor

Edward Long64 said:Bumping this thread. I am hoping for some guidance...

Edward Long64 said:Context:

The histology shows an orthokeratotic surface with a normally layered epidermis.
In the dermis, there are sparsemononuclear inflammatory infiltrates located perivascularly. In the deeper dermal layers, one observes
increased scar tissue."

As someone with very little medical knowledge, I would appreciate an interpretation. Could this be something serious? Also, could you explain the bolded terms?

Thank you.

Orthokeratotic—this refers to a slightly thickened stratum corneum that matures normally. Nothing significant here.
Sparse perivascular mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate—essentially just a few lymphocytes around the blood vessels. Subjective and clinically minor.
Increased scar tissue—well, it is increased scar tissue. For whatever reason, it does not indicate anything grave.
The findings are largely non-specific, though pathologists are required to document everything.
Perhaps the most critical detail is missing. I am unsure if you omitted it or if it was simply not noted—if the report does notsuggest granuloma annulare, then we lack the key indicator.

nimbleranger17 said:No, let me tell you... if you actually get caught $2667 you’re looking at a massive fine.

I am inclined to agree that isn't the case. However, I read on a news site that an epidemiologist told some international student in Washington, D.C. that they were allowed brief trips for supplies and such.

Rebecca Reed3 said:How long does it take for Belodin to kick in?

If I take one tablet in the morning on the first day, will I feel it right away, or do I need to wait a week or two for it to start working?

About an hour.

The issue is that it isn't quite as effective if you start taking it before the allergy symptoms hit; it's different if you wait until the more severe symptoms have already developed.

I have a few friends who take birth control pills to manage things like menstruation, acne, or hormonal imbalances... It seems to me they all decided at some point to try going off them, yet in the end, every single one of them returned to the pill. One even mentioned trying certain herbal teas, but nothing ever worked.

Hormones certainly impact libido; even the pills themselves can have a negative effect. However, it is generally understood that testosterone plays a more significant role here than estrogen.

What exactly do you mean when you say they will cause more harm than good? You mentioned taking them for a long time, but you didn't mention experiencing any side effects. I am not denying that side effects exist, but it seems to me that you are simply against them altogether—assuming that "they will eventually hurt me" just because all pills are inherently bad.
Most women fear precisely those things: weight gain, a lower libido, mood swings, or hormonal imbalances—issues you are already dealing with. Your condition could actually improve, and even if you notice things getting worse, you have the option to stop taking them.
I assume you’ve had blood work done and know your hormone levels aren't where they should be. You also know that, for now, these pills are the primary treatment, and only while you are on them. I don't know what your experience was like before; whether you had side effects then or if you felt better, only you can say. You are aware of all the facts, and as the patient, the decision to accept this therapy rests entirely with you.

Drew Scott20 said:It’s really on her to take responsibility here; she should have booked her dose much earlier. Personally, I made sure to schedule everything with my doctor a full month in advance, especially since my diagnosis qualifies me for coverage through
.

Clearly, she hasn't gone to get vaccinated yet, so she doesn't realize how quickly the supplies vanish. The vaccine arrived back in late November, and most doctors burn through their entire stock within a single week.

First come, first served. I just can't wrap my head around what the doctor meant when they claimed the vaccine would be arriving in a month. Honestly, I find that hard to believe.

There simply aren't enough flu shots to go around. We're looking at maybe 300,000 doses for the entire country. If you aren't lucky, some doctors run through their whole supply in literally three days. Your only real shot might be checking with the CDC to see if there are any free supplies available there.
If your doctor is out of stock, you could try buying one at a pharmacy, assuming they even have any left. Just keep in mind you won't get a refund because Medicare clearly doesn't cover it. Why it works that way—I haven't the slightest clue. My guess is the government allocates funding for a specific number of doses to be sent to clinics and public health centers, while pharmacies sell them separately. It feels like a way for them to make money since the state doesn't order enough. For all we know, it might not even be the exact same brand.

gentlefox22 said:Griffin has relatively narrow hips compared to his waist, and having wider hips makes your legs look visually shorter. Or rather, narrower hips equal visually longer legs.
Take a piece of paper and draw two triangles—one with a 4cm base and 5cm sides, and next to it, another with a 2cm base and the same 5cm sides. That might help you visualize it better.

As for the topic starter, she should be fine as long as she isn't specifically targeting her adductors and abductors.

I agree that it could play a role, but there are certainly many other factors influencing how legs look. Absolute length, height, the ratio between leg length and torso length, thinness... I have wide hips myself, yet no one has ever told me my legs look short; if anything, they say the opposite.
I am not sure when narrow hips became the standard. I suppose legs look better if the thighs appear visually wider than the calves. 🤔

Why shouldn't she train her abductors?
The woman wants stronger leg muscles, not necessarily visually longer legs...

casualscout65, I’m heading to an all-female gym simply because it’s just a couple of blocks from my place, not because of the gender split. Though, I suspect some women travel from across the city specifically for that reason.
A friend of mine works the front desk at one of the major fitness centers in town, and she confirms what I've observed: group classes are almost entirely women, yet the actual weight floor has a male-to-female ratio of about 5:1. I haven't stepped foot in there myself, so I can't speak to their specific routines—not that it really matters. I also don't know how the women on this forum train, nor do I know who exactly is participating here (though looking at the "What did you do at the gym" threads, it's clear there are some incredible women in this community), but the reality remains: many women are intimidated by heavy weights and tend to gravitate toward cardio or light resistance training. I wasn't just referring to the people on this forum, by the way.

gentlefox22, so what if someone has wide hips? In my opinion, that's actually an advantage in this whole endeavor.

Olivia White2 said:At least you were the only one who actually replied to me. Nobody else said a word, and I honestly thought it was a pretty straightforward question.
Perhaps people are just wired to stay silent when they see something they dislike, assuming there is no solution—even though they are usually wrong. Or, perhaps this forum isn't being read by actual trainers, but rather by hobbyists who feel too uncertain to offer advice.

Well, it is not exactly easy.
Men frequently struggle with leg development because their lower bodies often lack the mass of their upper bodies, though I suppose that isn't a fair comparison to your specific situation. I have always wondered if the difficulty stems from a lack of isolation exercises, or if people simply don't train them enough.
As for women, you will likely find even fewer answers. I have been going to a local women's gym for a few months now, and about 95% of the women just run on the treadmill or jump around aimlessly with two-pound dumbbells; that certainly won't help you.

I believe most things in life are a blend of genetics and hard work. In some areas, one factor outweighs the other. It is possible some individuals simply have longer Achilles tendons, making calf growth incredibly difficult. Someone mentioned in another thread that calves are 80% genetics... Perhaps they are right, perhaps not, but that still leaves 20% for us to work with.
In my view, you might be overstating the issue with your legs. I understand you don't think they look perfect, but surely you shouldn't decide to never wear a skirt again... Still, everyone has their own perspective. My take on your legs is that they generally lack definition and muscle mass, which is definitely something you can improve. Especially your thighs.

Furthermore, I would recommend skipping the stationary bike, the treadmill, and any sort of cardio for now. If you are currently inactive, start with kettlebells and dumbbells targeting the lower body. Then, move toward getting comfortable with an Olympic barbell and focusing on deadlifts, squats, and hip thrusts. Only after that should you turn to machines and isolation movements.

But then again, that is merely my personal opinion as a recreational lifter, supplemented by a few bits of advice from trainers. Personally, genetics gave me great legs but completely ruined my waistline, so my struggles are quite different. 🤣

https://postimg.cc/v191PjvK
https://postimg.cc/KKrG3yfm

I am somewhat pleased with the changes I have made thus far, yet simultaneously, I find myself feeling quite dissatisfied. It is an ongoing cycle. I simply cannot seem to reach a decision. 🤣

Maria Fowler15 - Is a fasting blood glucose of 79 mg/dL with zero in my urine normal?

Andrew Peterson2 - That sounds like a good idea, though I've noticed everyone from them seems constantly hungry. Honestly, they just seem to be gaining weight—like, 30 pounds—and I can't lose an ounce myself, so clearly that isn't the solution either. 🤷

shadownomad43 - After I failed the hemoglobin test before donating blood at the Red Cross, I jumped to the conclusion that it was definitely an absorption issue. I thought my gut just couldn't take anything in, including iron, maybe because stress caused excess stomach acid that damaged my small intestine lining. But two days after getting my bloodwork done—my hemoglobin and red blood cell counts were perfect, and even my UIBC and TIBC levels were great—so there clearly isn't an issue with iron transfer or absorption. I don't have diarrhea, and my gut doesn't hurt. It only gets really critical during my period; that's when things just go completely haywire. 😵
I would rule out a serious infection as well, since my white blood cell count is fine.
Probiotics and vitamins are definitely worth trying. 👍

I am struggling to find the right words for this without sounding ridiculous.

I don't typically have a large appetite, but this past month, I was being absolutely consumed by hunger. To be clear, this wasn't just a craving or a lack of appetite; it was actual physical pain in my stomach accompanied by intense growling. It wasn't just noise—I was genuinely starving. No matter how much I ate, it never felt like enough. Even when I managed to feel full, the sensation vanished almost immediately. I found myself eating three times more than usual. Despite all that, I haven't gained a single pound—though I haven't lost any either.
I went in for a complete blood panel and a urinalysis, and everything came back perfect.
It is worth noting that my lifestyle hasn't changed at all; my routine remains exactly the same. For about ten days, the hunger seemed to subside and things returned to normal, but then yesterday and today, it all came rushing back. I am at a loss as to what to do, as this is becoming a genuine disruption to my daily life. 👎 If I happen to find myself in a long lecture or a seminar, I already know everyone will hear my stomach. It is even making it difficult to sleep because I cannot get full enough; I am forced to go to bed hungry.
My friends suggest it might be stress-related, but that doesn't seem to track since I haven't gained any weight. Usually, when I am under pressure, I lose my appetite entirely, which inevitably leads to weight loss.
I haven't even noticed any changes in my bowel movements.

In the end, even my doctor thought the whole situation sounded somewhat absurd.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
Is it truly possible for this to be psychological if there is no weight gain involved?

Rachel Brooks63 said:I have been sleeping with earplugs for years now. Every single night. It has been about five years.

Ever since I found a decent pair, I don't hear a thing once they are in. My boyfriend snores—sometimes quite loudly—the lawnmower outside my window, the loud music from the neighbors upstairs... nothing.

Which ones do you use? lol. I grab those yellow silicone foam ones, sort of spongy. I think those are really the only kind they carry at the local CVS.👎

Sometimes my ears ache just when I take them out, and I end up scratching them. But I suppose that is a small price to pay if it means actually getting some sleep.😳

Rachel Brooks63 said:Just buy some earplugs. Honestly, it’s no big deal. You'll be sleeping next to someone who snores anyway 🙄

The thing is, earplugs aren't exactly a miracle cure. Even then, I can still hear it when the snoring is just light, let alone when it gets heavy >< I try changing them out frequently, pushing them in deeper, but the sound still manages to get through...

So... here is my situation. I am a very light sleeper and it takes me forever to actually drift off. Usually, I share a room with my brother, who snores just enough that I can finally pass out if I have my earplugs, a good pillow, and the right position set up. That is, unless he has a cold—then the snoring gets so bad I don't fall asleep until 3:00 AM.

The issue is that I have to be up by 6:30 AM. My grandmother is coming to stay, and she will be sleeping in my room. She doesn't just snore; her snoring is so loud the walls practically shake. My usual tricks won't work this time. I simply cannot sleep when someone is snoring near me. I might manage ten minutes of rest here and there, but that is about it.

To make matters worse, I have finals all next week. I am feeling quite lost. Should I try to pull all-nighters and then drink coffee before class and nap for three hours in the afternoon? Or should I just lie in bed at night? Would even lying there provide any actual rest? Please, I am desperate for any advice you can offer. 😢 😢 😢

Also, if anyone happens to know how to use makeup to hide tired eyes, I would truly appreciate the help.