Posts by Steven Brown28

If I didn't lose my cool at the local CVS today, it would be a miracle! 😠

I’ve been taking the Diane 35 extended-release version for three years now. I went to my OBGYN today for my routine checkups, he gave me my prescription, and I headed straight to the pharmacy.

I honestly try to tell other women that they should look for the extended-release version, not just the standard coated tablets. But the pharmacist looked me right in the eye and insisted the extended-release option doesn't even exist. Meanwhile, I'm standing there holding my old box, comparing the two, knowing full well that this specific formula is what actually helps clear up my skin and keeps my cycle regular. 🙂

Then I get to the part where it says the standard coated tablets aren't meant solely for birth control, and apparently, in certain situations—like if you have a headache—their reliability can actually drop! 🙂 🙂

It's enough to drive you crazy... 🙂 🙄

nimbletiger56 said:

I’ve been sitting here for a little while—just nursing a lukewarm cup of coffee and watching the rain hit the window—thinking about our recent discussions regarding community standards. It’s funny how these things evolve, isn't it? One day we’re all just casual observers, and the next, we find ourselves deeply invested in the finer points of digital etiquette. I was actually chatting with a friend over lunch the other day—we were at that little bistro near the park, the one with the amazing sourdough—and we touched upon something similar. We talked about how much easier life becomes when everyone just follows a basic, unwritten set of rules to keep things civil. It’s not about being strict; it’s more about maintaining that sense of warmth and mutual respect that makes a space feel like home. Anyway, I wanted to chime in because I feel like there’s a middle ground we haven't quite explored yet. We don't need to turn this into a courtroom drama—Lord knows we have enough of those on the nightly news—but perhaps a bit more intentionality wouldn't hurt. I’m curious to hear what the rest of you think about finding that balance between free expression and keeping the atmosphere pleasant. Just a thought, really. No pressure at all. kaže:
It seems like you might have cut off mid-sentence there—you were just starting to say "Cure ovak," which sounds like you were about to dive into a topic or perhaps share a thought. Whatever it was you were getting at, please, don't be shy! I’m all ears. Whether it’s a question, a random observation from your day, or even just a bit of a rant about something that happened while you were grabbing coffee this morning, feel free to lay it out. I tend to enjoy the longer, more winding stories anyway—they always feel a bit more authentic than just a quick headline. Whenever you're ready, go ahead and finish that thought. I'm looking forward to hearing what's on your mind.
So, I’ve just started using a new box of Diane 35, and as I was looking at it, I realized the packaging looks a bit different from what I'm used to—and then it hit me why. On my previous packs, it clearly said "Diane 35 dražeje" [Note: User likely meant 'dražeje' as a typo for a specific formulation or simply noted a difference in wording], but these new ones say "Diane 35 coated tablets." Now, I’m sitting here wondering—is this actually the exact same medication, or did the pharmacist at the local CVS just pull a fast one on me? Has anyone else run into this kind of labeling switch before? 🙂

To Sam Martin63—well, I noticed it too... 😉

I went into the pharmacy, and the woman there just swapped it out for me.
She acted like they were "one and the same," but if they’re truly identical, why bother having two different versions in the first place?!
Just to be safe, I ended up taking the one I was actually supposed to take on Monday 🤣

Hey guys,
I’m starting a new pack of Diane 35, and I just noticed they look different. Then it hit me why! My old ones said 'Diane 35 extended release,' but these say 'Diane 35 film-coated tablets.' Is this actually the same thing, or did the pharmacist at my local CVS totally rip me off?! 🙂

vividsailor7 said:That C34 code is likely just a referral from a general practitioner; they can write pretty much anything on those referrals.
I’m honestly stepping away from this discussion. It feels like people are just throwing out data whenever they feel like it rather than actually answering the questions I've laid out quite clearly. I used to try harder to engage, but there's no point in being the one left hanging or getting dragged into unnecessary arguments.
Besides, you're claiming the X-ray only shows scarring from a previous bout of pneumonia, so where exactly did these "cloudy lungs" come from?

Thanks for getting back to me.
I'll keep responding as long as I can, but if things aren't making sense to you, I apologize—it's just that I don't have his actual lab results right here since he tends to keep them private from all of us. It would be so much easier to give you a straight answer if I had them, which would probably clear things up for both of us too. I realize we're mostly just guessing at this point, but I'm at a loss for what else to do. Anyway, thanks regardless.

vividsailor7 said:It’s possible we could be looking at hemochromatosis, which is fairly straightforward to manage through phlebotomy, though you'd need to run some preliminary labs first like
transaminase levels, hepatitis B and C screening, iron, UIBC, ferritin, blood glucose, and genetic testing.

To be honest, what you've shared isn't particularly helpful—especially the chest X-ray results. That C34 finding doesn't tell us much right now.
Which follow-up tests from Abbott Laboratories are being done? Any other specific screenings? Are there existing comorbidities or current medications?
As for the cough, believe it or not, people cough every single day.
Your impressions don't really move the needle here.
And it would definitely be a good idea to quit smoking.
The blood work suggests a bacterial infection.

The chest X-ray just shows some scarring from previous bouts of pneumonia.
Regarding the cough, I know coughing is common, but he's coughing up about half a cup of blood every day. Even on 1g antibiotics (like Augmentin), his fever stays around 101-102°F, and the cough hasn't eased up one bit. He's not getting any better.
He was also diagnosed with angina long ago.

They've sent him for every test under the sun, from pneumonia screenings to checking for TB. They've looked at his liver, kidneys, and prostate, and everything came back fine. It feels like they're just spinning their wheels, running the same tests over and over without finding anything new. Now, they'll likely send him back for more TB testing because that's their main suspicion.

He used to smoke heavily—about three packs a day—but he actually quit 20 years ago.

Hi everyone. My stepdad (69) has been struggling with his health for quite a while now. It started primarily with a cough—he’s been dealing with this persistent cough for years—but recently, things have taken a really dark turn.
He was recently at the local community clinic for some lung scans, and this is what was listed on his medical report:

Dg 1: C34
Dg 2:
Dg 3:

That is exactly how it's written. From what I’ve gathered—after doing my own research and then checking with my own doctor—that diagnosis points to lung cancer.
The problem is, his doctor isn't telling him anything; she just keeps prescribing antibiotics. Every time he tries to ask for clarity, she stays silent and refuses to give him any real answers.
As far as I know, he has cancer based on those codes. Hypothetically, if I were to tell him, I feel like I’d be breaking him instantly. It wouldn't just be him; it would crush my grandmother too. For that reason, I don't want to be the one to deliver that news.😢
When I reached out to his doctor to ask why he isn't receiving proper treatment if C34 means cancer, she just shut me down over the phone, claiming her waiting room was too full to talk.

He had blood work done today, and here are the results:

K-Leukocytes - 14.0 (3.4-9.7)
K-Eosinophilic granulocytes - 1.6 (0-7)
K-Basophilic granulocytes - 0.5 ( 0-1)
K-Neutrophilic granulocytes - 70.8 (44-72)
K-Lymphocytes (rel.) - 20.9 (20-46)
K-Monocytes (rel.) - 6.2 (2-12)
S- CRP- 85.5 (<5.0)

Our whole family is at a complete loss. His doctor won't admit him to the hospital; she just runs these routine checks, orders tests that seem totally irrelevant, and hands him more antibiotics. He can barely swallow, breathe, or sleep. He used to weigh nearly 220 lbs, but now he’s down to about 130 lbs. He gets winded just walking to the bedroom.
What is a person supposed to do in this situation? He isn't being hospitalized, he isn't getting the treatment he actually needs, and he's just being sent back for follow-ups while his condition worsens every single day.
He has another appointment with the doctor tomorrow. Honestly, does anyone know what we should do? 🙂