Hello. I need some help interpreting these lab results. My child is 14. Just over a month ago, they were diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis, confirmed EBV. We did a follow-up blood count yesterday. Liver enzymes are all back within the normal range. However, other abnormalities popped up, which—naturally—have me worried. Neutrophils are low at 28.2% (normal range is 34 to 69). Eosinophils are high at 24.7% (normal is up to 9). Monocytes are low at 4.4% (normal is 5 to 13). Eosinophil count is 2.32x10e9/L.
Keep in mind that during the previous blood draw (exactly 14 days before this one), everything was normal except for those liver enzymes. Back then, eosinophils were at 6.5%, or 0.65x10e9/L. This spike in eosinophils in just two weeks is what’s eating at me. The doctor ordered a parasite screen and scheduled a CBC and differential follow-up in 10 days. Of course, I’m spiraling through every worst-case scenario I read online. I'm panicking. Does it make any sense to repeat the differential earlier, say in 5 days?
They’re doing fine out there. Ever since we got back home, they haven't stopped screaming, and my apartment is a total disaster zone. My doctor told me they can still have up to 5 oz of Similac, which seems excessive to me, even though they're hitting 4 oz now. They eat a lot and they eat often. I even tried making some elderberry tea to trick them into feeling full, but it was a bust. The older girl had 30 ml of tea followed by 120 ml of Similac. 😵 Nice job on the stroller, Rebecca Roberts8. Are you still bleeding? And why on earth did she mention a D&C?
Haha, they keep telling me they’re small, but honestly? They feel huge to me. People have no idea how much they used to be. I’m actually low-key dreading my checkup this Friday—what if they’ve put on too much weight? 🤣 Are yours acting up lately? Mine definitely are. I took them with me to Chase yesterday; they were totally fine. They haven't even realized we aren't home yet. 👍
Hey ladies! Finally joining the conversation. Things are going great on my end—hardly any crying, and the girls are sleeping solid blocks of 5 or 6 hours a night. They’re taking about 4 ounces per feeding and gaining weight beautifully.🙏 We’ve been getting out a lot, taking them everywhere already... I also picked up a Weego Twin carrier while I was pregnant, $400. I haven't started using it yet, but I'm planning to start this week. Pacifiers are absolute lifesavers, along with these soothing toys they adore, and the Tiny Love Rocker Napper—they pass out instantly in it thanks to the music and motion. We’re heading to our exercises now, and I actually have a physical therapist coming over today to work with them for the first time. Emily Garcia10, I am so jealous of your milk supply. My supply has basically dried up. Rebecca Roberts8, I'm sorry you're dealing with all that; I really hope you can avoid having to get a D&C. As for me, I'm back to my pre-pregnancy routine with baths and everything. Physically, I feel great; I just wish I could drop a few pounds. Honestly, I didn't even get stretch marks or a linea nigra. I'm on my own with them from 7 AM to 4 PM, and it's actually easier than I expected.
I was wondering how you guys handle keeping your pills safe during this insane heatwave? Like, are we all just shoving everything in the fridge now or what? I’m getting a little anxious because my packaging says to keep them under 86 degrees, but honestly, with how much I'm running around town lately, I'm constantly carrying them with me, and it's way hotter than that out there. Does anyone know if they actually lose their potency, or is that warning mostly just about not leaving them sitting in direct sunlight on a windowsill? I’d love to hear from the folks here who have been on these meds for a while—have any of you run into actual issues when you haven't been perfectly strict with those storage instructions?
I was actually thinking about this the other day.🙂 I've been on the pill for four years and always just keep them in my wallet since I'm rarely home when it's time to take them. So far, zero problems. Honestly, if I tried keeping them in the fridge, I'd probably forget to take them entirely, or something would spill on them. Obviously, I don't leave them sitting in direct sunlight.😁
Here’s something that makes zero sense to me. I called my gynecologist yesterday to ask about the Celest recall, and they were completely clueless. They hadn't received any notification whatsoever about it being pulled from the market. So, I decided to walk over to the pharmacy myself, and wouldn't you know it? They haven't heard a single word about a recall either.😢 Afterward, I called five or six more pharmacies across Los Angeles, and everywhere I rang, they had it in stock like nothing was wrong. It was the first time anyone had even heard of this situation. I honestly don't know what to make of this. I can go out and buy it right now because every single pharmacy in the city is selling it, and my doctor says the exact same thing. The official notice has been sitting on the FDA website for seven days already. Who is actually running things here?🙂
I’m just reading an update from ExxonMobil. As a precaution, they’ve recalled every unit manufactured after January 2011 (mine was made in December 2011), and so far, the defect has been confirmed in the next two series, BAS4S and BIS2Z. Mine appears to be BK94LOO God, I’m calling my doctor today.😲
Excuse me???🙂 Look, I've been taking Cialis for years and I honestly haven't noticed any difference in how they work.🙂 Is the active ingredient just hitting slower lately, or has it always been this underwhelming? I’ve only got seven tablets left before I run out. Does this mean I need to head back to the doctor for a new prescription?
I missed a pill when there were only 11 days left in my pack. I’ve been using backup protection for the last 7 days, which have already passed. I read the instructions, but I'm totally confused because some stuff online says you need two weeks of extra protection, while the pamphlet in the box says just one.
If you missed that pill 13 days ago—and since you haven't taken anything for two days now because you're out of your pack and on a break—does that mean you're not protected right now?
It’s way too early for that; we’ve still got a few hours to go. 🤣 I’m supposed to get my stimulus check tomorrow or the day after, and now I'm actually getting nervous that it won't show up. Good grief.
I don't know. Most gynecologists I've talked to said that if you miss a pill, seven days of extra caution is plenty🤷. The chances of being pregnant are basically zero. Since I've never actually missed a pill myself, I can't say for sure what I'd do in your shoes. Honestly, I probably would have just stuck to the seven-day rule too.🙂
Benjamin Robinson3 said:I saw someone online saying that if you miss a pill, you have to use backup contraception for two weeks, but my Cestazol box says only seven days. Which one is actually right? Does the protection still hold during that seven-day break between packs?
Listen up. If you missed a pill, pay attention. If you’re twelve hours late or more, you need backup protection for the next seven days—that means seven extra pills. If it hasn't even been twelve hours yet, you're fine. No extra precautions needed. Just follow the rules.🙂
It all boils down to which week you’re on. If you’re at the end of the cycle, the move is to skip the seven-day break entirely and just crack open a new pack. Honestly, the instructions tell you exactly what to do.☕
Protection is guaranteed during that seven-day break—provided, of course, you didn't miss any pills.🤣
I've been on Cilest for quite a while now, but I’ve run into a situation that leaves me completely stumped. I was prescribed an antibiotic for a throat infection, and I’m well aware that antibiotics can interfere with birth control effectiveness. Here’s the catch: I’m supposed to start my next pack today, which also happens to be the very first day of my placebo week. The instructions are useless regarding this specific scenario. I understand the "seven-day rule"—where you need seven consecutive days of active pills after finishing an antibiotic course—but that applies when you're actually taking the hormones. What happens during those seven days of being off the pill? Can an antibiotic still diminish the efficacy of the birth control if I’m currently in my break? I have no idea how long the medication stays in my system, especially since my last dose of antibiotics falls on the final day of my break. Do I need backup protection? If so, for how long? Sorry for the long post, but this is incredibly confusing.🤷
Honestly, I’m at a total loss as to what my next move should be. My initial plan was to just shorten the break this month and next—essentially starting the new pack after three days instead of the full week—so that everything shifts forward by about seven days. But here’s the catch: I was supposed to start my period today, acting as if I hadn't shifted anything at all, yet nothing has happened. Not in the days leading up to today, and still nothing now. The instructions even mention that there's a chance it might not come at all. 🤷
Anyway, I was considering just taking a few pills from the second pack to see how it goes, but I haven't made a 100% decision yet. I'm going to wait and see if I actually get my period this month first, and then I'll decide what to do about that pack for my summer vacation. 😳
I went through that exact same mental tug-of-war last year. I desperately wanted to dodge my period during the weekend my partner was coming home from his game, and for once, I actually pulled it off. I pushed it back by two or three days, even though I’d been popping pills for ten straight days. But nature doesn't care about your plans. It showed up anyway: nope. zna: In the end, instead of four days, I bled for ten.😕
Look, I’m telling you, things might seem fine on the surface. I know female athletes pull this stunt all the time—they push through, they stay focused, and they don't deal with these kinds of side effects. They make it look easy.🤷
Actually, what you were planning to do seems like the best move. Try shortening those pauses leading up to that point. If you can pull it off, it’ll work.
Laura Mendoza said:I’m wondering if any of you have ever combined two boxes without taking a break? I’m hoping to get some time off mid-year, so my plan to move them up a few days shouldn't be an issue. If anyone has actually done this, what were the consequences? Thanks. 🙂
I did that last year. Despite trying to cheat the system, my period still showed up just a couple of days later than usual.😢
My gynecologist told me my natural hormones were simply too strong and forced the cycle along. Following her advice, I stopped taking the pack after about ten pills, took a seven-day break, bled heavily—I practically couldn't leave the house—and then started a new pack once the break was over.
Based on my own experience, I wouldn't recommend it. That said, I know plenty of women who have done exactly this without any issues at all.🤷
darkwalker2 said:How does one go about managing the water retention that often hitches a ride with birth control pills? I’m preparing to start on Diane soon, and I’d really like to be ahead of the curve on this. Would taking potassium help mitigate the swelling?
And honestly, ladies, how much do you actually trust oral contraceptives? Personally, I’ve always been a bit of a worrier—someone who prefers the peace of mind that comes from using condoms alongside the pill, just to be absolutely certain.😁
Regarding the water retention thing, I have zero clue. I can't help you there because in the two years I've been on the pill, I haven't dealt with any bloating at all.
As for protection, I feel most secure using the pill. Look, nothing is ever 100% foolproof, but out of all the options available (unless you go for sterilization), it’s easily the most reliable method—provided you actually take it correctly.
Using a condom alongside it feels like way too much effort for me. If I were going to bother with condoms, I wouldn't even bother with the pill.🤣
Ultimately, it's your call. If you're genuinely terrified, just use both until you find some peace of mind.
I'm 29 and I've been on birth control for two years. I recently had some blood work done and my triglycerides came back at 2.3, while the limit is supposed to be 1.7. Is this something I should be worried about?
[User Not Found] kaže: I've been on Celestol for a month and a half now. I did a stint with it a year ago, took a break, and decided to jump back in. Everything is being monitored by my gynecologist, blah, blah, blah.
Mostly, I’ve noticed I’m becoming disgustingly sensitive, tearful, and hysterical. I had a fight with my boyfriend today—normally, I wouldn't give it a second thought since it wasn't anything serious—but instead, I've spent the entire day overanalyzing everything, hovering on the edge of tears, and feeling completely anxious. I know I was like this last time I took them, but back then I blamed it on a bad relationship. Now I see it's more or less because of the pill. I have no idea what to do. I need the pill because without it, my cycle is irregular and I can't stand condoms. On the other hand, if I stay on them, I feel like I'm going to drive myself insane and push everyone around me away. Is there an adjustment period? Will I settle down soon, or should I try a different method, like the ring, the patch, or something else? Before switching to Yaz, I was using Yasmin, but I was in an even worse state then; I actually felt like I was making progress on Yaz. But now? I just feel... pathetic. 😢.
I don't even know what to tell you. It looks like we’re stuck with the exact same problem.😕
I’ve been on Celest for about two and a half years now. Lately, I’ve noticed a pattern: I’m constantly sad. And more than that, I’m combative. I find myself picking fights, then feeling terrible about it, then breaking down in tears—only to repeat the entire cycle all over again. It’s exhausting. I’m planning to switch brands soon; right now, it’s the only contraceptive option I can realistically manage.
I don't know. Pills are the only thing I can actually trust to be safe, but they’re absolutely wrecking my mental state.😢
I’ve seen enough to know that most people are just performing for an audience that isn't even watching. It’s all noise. Constant, exhausting noise. You spend your life looking for substance, only to find a polished veneer designed to distract you from the void. Most "connections" these days are just transactions wrapped in sentimentality. If you want the truth, stop looking at the lights. Look at the shadows they cast. That's where the reality lives. kaže: I started taking birth control pills for the first time about a month ago. My gynecologist gave me the standard warning: my body needs time to adjust, and I should expect some side effects along the way. For about the last ten days, the bleeding and pain have started up. It’s that specific abdominal sensation you get on the first day of your period, only it hits three times harder. The bleeding would show up and then just vanish. As long as my stomach was cramping, the bleeding stayed present; once the pain subsided, the bleeding stopped too.
Has anyone else gone through this? Is it actually normal for my stomach to hurt this much and for me to deal with bleeding for ten days straight before my period even starts? Will this stop once my body adjusts, or is it time to go see an OB-GYN? I really don't want to be a total drama queen if this is just how things go, but part of me is worried. Could these pills be causing a bigger issue, or maybe they just aren't right for me and I need to switch?
So, what pills are you popping?
I used to experience what they call spotting—just occasional, brownish discharge that lasted a few days. It was never heavy, and it never actually hurt. Actually, all my period cramps completely vanished once I started the pill.🙂
If the pain is that intense and you’re bleeding heavily, go see a gynecologist immediately. I don't want to think it's anything serious, but it sounds like those birth control pills just aren't agreeing with you.🤷
You’re better off calling the doctor and laying it all out for him. That's what I'd do.
I'm actually gearing up for a trip, so I'll definitely be swinging by the pharmacy for another pack before I head out. (It's a much better move than relying on backup protection for seven days)😉
I’ve been on Cilest for two years now, and last night, while taking my pill, the very last tablet in the pack slipped right down the drain.😕 (The foil somehow just popped open on its own.) Basically, I have nine pills left before my cycle ends, but now I’m missing that final one. So, here’s what I need to know: Can I just take 20 tablets instead of 21 and then take my seven-day break? Is that actually safe, or does the system count that as a missed dose? It feels pretty ridiculous to go out and buy an entire new box just because of one single pill.🤷