Posts by Raymond Gomez2

Alex Moore62 said:Don't mention it; I'm just glad I could help. I know exactly how it feels when you're waiting for surgery for the first time 😉.
The main thing is to get all your tests and the anesthesiologist appointment out of the way, and then you can just relax a bit once they admit you to the hospital 🙂. Basically, they always admit you on the date you were given, but then they usually send you home—especially if you're from New York City—until the actual surgery because you never know exactly when you'll be scheduled. When I went in for my first one, the doctor was traveling, so I had to wait for them to get back; for my second, I ended up waiting because the anesthesiologists were out sick (it was flu season), so there weren't enough people to run the surgeries. So, if you end up staying in the hospital while waiting, bring something to read or listen to for those few days 😉. What’s your exact admission date?

After the surgery, everything depends on how intensive or complicated yours was and how your recovery goes, so it’s different for everyone. For me, the first time got complicated due to some bleeding (I didn't have tampons, but rather splints or whatever they call them), so my CRP levels spiked and they had to put me on an IV for antibiotics, which is why I stayed longer. The second time was a much smaller procedure, so I was home in maybe two days.

Edit: I forgot one more thing—my recommendation is to focus on boosting your immune system before the surgery, so try to avoid crowded places like public transit and things like that. I know when you're doing your tests, you'll be surrounded by plenty of sick people, so stay as safe as you can. Also, watch out for medications you shouldn't take before surgery—I think it's listed in your paperwork (like oral contraceptives needing to be stopped a month prior to prevent bleeding, etc.). It should also tell you how to prepare for the surgery itself—like no nail polish, etc.—so make sure to look over everything and follow the rules.

If I hadn't, I wouldn't even have thought to take half of that stuff 🙂...
As for the tests, I think I'll manage to get them all done in time..
And thanks for the heads-up about the waiting; I honestly thought since my arrival was scheduled for the 19th, the surgery would happen that same day..
I'll definitely pack a few books to bring along, so regardless of what happens, at least I won't be bored, and I'll have them for after the surgery too..

I'm so sorry your first experience was such a mess..

But, on average, if I understood correctly, you don't stay longer than a week?

Anyway, I've been being really careful with my immune system for the last month 😁. It really wouldn't be ideal to catch a cold right now..

Regarding "medications," I'm not taking anything currently, though I am taking supplements..
I know you have to stop taking Omega with about two weeks' notice before surgery, so I'll probably drop that tomorrow
. But I'm not sure if I can still take vitamins.. Right now, I'm taking a bit extra Vitamin C just to ward off any colds..
And looking at everything I need to do, I completely forgot to ask the doctor about this specific detail 😛..
And I know nothing is entirely harmless—for example, Vitamin K affects blood clotting..
I'll definitely have to double-check that in the next couple of days..

Thank you so much for all this information 😉..

Just two more weeks until my surgery 😁..
Alex Moore62 thanks so much for those numbers, but I’m actually all set—I’ve already looked into everything..
I finally got the paperwork back with all the labs and tests I need to get done..
The good news is they aren't pushing my procedure back; I found out just in the nick of time so I can still squeeze all these appointments in..

And regarding that post on the previous page about what to pack in your hospital bag 🙏🙂..

By the way, does anyone happen to know roughly how many days I'll be staying at the hospital?

Alex Moore62 said:You’ll need to get a list of all the required tests—and there are quite a few—that you have to complete in the month leading up to your surgery. There's also a questionnaire involved (at Rib it's about four pages long) that you absolutely have to fill out. It’s vital that everything is accurate and nothing is left blank; usually, they hand all this paperwork to you once your hospitalization date is officially set. So, if you haven't received those documents yet, you really need to go hunt them down.

Once you have your test results and that completed questionnaire, you have to undergo an anesthesiologist consultation. They are the ones who give the final green light on whether you're cleared for the procedure. You actually have to schedule that appointment yourself. I did mine at Rib because it was most convenient for me, and honestly, I think it’s best to do it at the same facility where you're having the surgery. That said, some of the protocols regarding these tests have been shifting lately, so definitely check in with Rib or your primary care doctor to see exactly where you need to go.

And ladies, please don't worry; everything is going to be just fine. 🙂

Thank you so much for this info! I had no idea... I already have my appointment scheduled, but I totally messed up by not signing up for the surgery right then and there at the desk after my initial exam. I completely blanked on it, so I ended up sorting it out over the phone later. That's probably why I haven't received any of the paperwork yet. I'll give them a call right away to get this sorted out.

I mean, honestly, if you’ve already powered through three births, you can definitely handle this 😁...
As for the timing, it doesn't look like I'll be hitting that New Year's window 😁... I'm eyeing somewhere around February
... But who really knows? Every hospital operates differently, so I'm sure that plays a huge role
... And all these tests, there are just so many 😲... I'm assuming they'll get them out of the way right before the surgery, at least that's what I'm hoping for 🤣...

@crimsonpanther8/">@@crimsonpanther8
I I'm feeling pretty anxious myself 😁..
If you don't mind me asking, roughly when was your surgery scheduled for? If I can get an idea of your timeline, maybe I can figure out how much they might push my date back too..

Regarding those medical tests—isn't all of that handled right there at the hospital?
In my case, I just had to get a sinus CT scan before my last pre-op checkup.. So, from here, it’s just straight to the operating room
They never mentioned that I'd need to go out and arrange any additional testing on my own🤷..

crimsonpanther8 said:My surgery just got pushed back to early January...

So, are you heading into the hospital for the actual procedure then?
It’s probably due to the strike. I haven't received any official word yet, but they mentioned at Mayo Clinic that things might be looking that way, so I'm assuming they'll end up rescheduling everyone's dates 🤷..

jadewolf12 said:So the first appointment for an evaluation isn't even until then? How long is the wait for the actual surgery after that..

You’re looking at about 8 months until they actually operate..
As for getting that initial consultation, I was stuck waiting for 3 or 4 months myself..

Jacob Ruiz86 said:I actually just booked my consultation with Dr. John Doe over at Mayo Clinic today, and the earliest opening isn't until late January. Though, I have a feeling he's got the longest waitlist regardless.

On another note, does anyone know if Dr. John Doe would be open to doing some minor touch-ups on the nose if he was the one who handled the original deviated septum surgery?

Right here 😁..
You really just have to ask him directly and state what you're looking for...
That said, he did mention to me that he won't be performing aesthetic procedures at the hospital very much moving forward. My guess? He's probably trying to cut down on overhead or something similar..
But honestly, if you managed to snag an appointment for early next month, I'd say you caught the tail end of the old system. I highly doubt these changes are going to take effect overnight..
I'm actually wondering if this shift applies strictly to Mayo Clinic or if it’s happening at the other hospitals too 🤷. I completely forgot to ask..

Alex Moore62 said:There is 🙂
You’ve picked an incredible surgeon; you are definitely in good hands 👍

Thanks so much for getting back to me on this 🙂. It honestly takes a huge weight off my shoulders knowing I don't have to worry 😁..
The plan is to tackle both the functional issues and the aesthetic side of things at once
.

Michael Davis13 said:I'm totally with Depechica on this one!
You say that making nasty comments behind someone's back is gossiping, but why is that a bad thing? If someone dresses like a total slut, then yeah, I'll say they dressed like a slut. If they wore something more appropriate, maybe I'd react differently and tell them they look pretty... To me, that's just being real. I don't get why "judging" has to be such a negative word!

And it's also just reality that if a girl dresses like a slut, she's doing it because of some psychological issues. Okay, fine, maybe I'm "judging" again since I'm not a therapist, but from experience, I know that if a girl dresses like a slut, she basically is a slut looking for attention, haha (sorry for being so blunt, but it's late and I really don't feel like sugarcoating everything I write).

Someone else mentioned theft too. Well, when I see someone living in a massive mansion with a fleet of luxury cars that makes my head spin, it's only natural for me to say, "Look, a thief!" How is that judging? Maybe no court has ever convicted them of anything, but anyone who understands math, economics, or any science related to financial structures knows that in this day and age, it's simply impossible to have tens of millions of dollars sitting in your bank account just through honest work.

I wouldn't quite put a thief and a provocatively dressed girl in the same category. In the first case—whether they've been legally convicted or not, let's just say we know what's up—they've almost certainly harmed other people. A girl dressing provocatively certainly hasn't done that 😬..

In bold: I believe the perception of what is "slutty" varies from one person to the next. And no, I would never jump to the conclusion that someone dressed provocatively is automatically looking for sex 🙄..

driftingbear29 said:Siri, I have to break this up into multiple posts because the emojis are taking up all the space 😬

Obviously, wearing certain clothes doesn't make someone a bad person 🙂 But I think people underestimate how much our style reflects who we are. Our clothing is part of our identity (And no, I'm not talking about someone struggling with homelessness who just wears whatever they can find. Let's not go there 😬)

I assume you'll call me superficial. So be it.

And I don't see anything wrong with the comment. It isn't malicious. But, let's be real, for some people, the first impression is just a bit too much in that "girl at the corner bar" sort of way 😬 That it looks cheap. Even if it feels cheap to me personally, that definitely doesn't mean she wouldn't $3.25 help a person in need or rescue an abandoned kitten 😍 😁 Bottom line: I'm not claiming she has a bad character :')

Also, I've always wondered what a conversation would be like without commenting on someone or something. In that fun, lighthearted way. Is that gossiping or judging? If it is, well, what can you do. I enjoy those kinds of days 😍 😛 😁 We're only human. Life isn't always black and white. Or maybe it is, but I just can't see it that way 😬

We can't talk about history, art, spirituality, or other sophisticated topics all the time.

Look, don't worry, it's not like I'm constantly lecturing everyone on spirituality and fine arts. 😬..
I totally get the urge to comment on someone once in a while; I do it myself. But if I don't actually think there's anything fundamentally wrong with their character, then it's more of a joke—never with the intention of spreading rumors or dragging them through the mud.
That's the distinction that seems important to me..

Based on what you wrote, it sounds like you operate the same way. 😁..

driftingbear29 said:
What does judging even mean? Calling someone trashy if they’re actually dressed trashily? 😬 I'm not sure.
I mean, the fact remains that her outfit is barely covering anything. So... by simply observing and commenting on her look, have I actually judged her in any meaningful way? 😬

I'd say the whole concept of "judgment" is incredibly complex... 😍

And what's the point of even making a comment like that? Most people have eyes; they can see it too... If a comment isn't aimed directly at the person wearing the micro-skirt—with the specific intention of telling them it doesn't suit them—then I don't see much purpose in the gossip 🤷. Because making nasty remarks about someone behind their back is the very definition of gossiping (and thus, judging) ☕..

Judging people based solely on their clothes feels completely pointless to me.. I know girls who dress like that who are perfectly fine people. In fact, I find the people who feel the need to point it out to be much uglier
..
I'm not talking about you specifically, just speaking generally, of course.. It always irritated me when some girl would come up to me with a comment like that about someone else, and I'd just sit there wondering what I was supposed to say 🤷.. Especially if I don't think anything bad about the person being discussed—in fact, I usually think much better of them than the "well-dressed" person doing the critiquing
.. I just don't see the utility in comments like those 🤷..

Tyler Jackson6 said:Stanislav Grof is heading to Washington, D.C.,
so mark your calendars—he’s doing a talk at the AMC Theater this Tuesday, Oct 8th, at 4 PM.
heads up though, seats are super limited, so don't wait too long,
you can grab tickets right through his site here:
http://www.grofvisit.com/en/events/

See you there! 😉

In light of this whole situation and the topic we’ve been chewing on, I thought I’d share this lecture by Stanislav Grof...
I’ve started watching it, and honestly? It looks pretty fascinating. It dives right into the exact same territory I was just touching upon earlier. 😁..

I’ve been sitting here staring at this video, trying to process what we just witnessed. It’s heavy. It’s deep. Honestly, it’s a lot to take in all at once. The way they break down the intersection of psychedelic experiences and the deeper architecture of the mind... it’s staggering. You can’t just watch this and move on with your day. It forces you to look inward, whether you're ready for it or not. I keep thinking about what Rebecca Sanders37 mentioned earlier regarding the sheer intensity of these shifts. She was right—it isn't just a "trip"; it's a complete recalibration of how you perceive reality itself. And when you factor in the work of Stanislav Grof, everything starts to click into place in a way that feels both terrifying and incredibly beautiful. It reminds me of those conversations we had about the difference between a casual experience and a true, life-altering breakthrough. One is a fleeting moment; the other is a tectonic shift in your soul. What do you all think? Is this the kind of insight that actually changes lives, or are we just looking at profound theories that struggle to survive in the "real world"? I’m leaning toward the former, but I know there's plenty of debate to be had.

Kenneth Campbell said:There are process psychoses—true psychosis—as well as reactive or temporary psychotic episodes. Similarly, personality disorders can be classified as persistent, syndromic, or neurotic developments...

The entirety of a person's personality is a composite of material foundations (physiological makeup and function), developmental milestones during growth, cultural environment, and social standing...
In terms of homeostasis, maintaining normal organism function is vital. Physiological homeostasis is a basic requirement for life itself. Psychological homeostasis, however, implies a balanced relationship between an individual and their social environment, where biological, psychological, and social needs are met in harmony. An excess or a quantitative deficiency in these stimuli leads to a disruption of homeostasis. The result is regression—a sliding back down from one's current level of functioning. Depending on how deep that regression goes, you get the full psychological picture of an individual's state. Regression is driven by fixation points (traumatic events), ego strength and its structure, and the intensity and outcome of current stressors. When these factors intersect with a physiological predisposition—which can be a deciding factor in the final outcome—you see the clear clinical manifestation of psychosis...

In process states, personality repair is difficult, and residues of the underlying disorder always remain. In acute or reactive states, however, full recovery through repair is possible. Quantitatively, distinguishing between these two different disorders can sometimes be difficult, but they are fundamentally distinct...

The way psychedelic substances induce changes in personality and perception is highly subjective. Whether a psychedelic acts as a trigger or a precipitating factor for a process state is difficult to predict; it might happen, or it might not. It depends on many variables...
If such a shift occurs, it results in a permanent personality change trapped within a psychotic process. Repair becomes difficult if there are underlying predispositions pointing toward unfavorable outcomes...
Reality is the floor beneath our feet. Anyone who loses those planks is going to fall and find themselves in a precarious position...
The tendency to indulge in fantasies or myths is a human trait, but as one psychologist noted, "people live in fantasies; it is hard to accept reality, but it is even harder not to."

I realize I’m commenting on a post from two years ago, but please bear with me, I just had to 🙈..

Kenneth Campbell, you write with such clinical precision—don't blame me if I haven't quite grasped every nuance..

If I've understood you correctly, you're suggesting that psychedelics might help people who have experienced trauma later in life, once their personality is already set in stone. Things like a divorce, the death of a loved one, and so on. But that they won't be effective for individuals with a fragile ego structure or an existing personality disorder 🤔?

I see where you're coming from, but certain psychedelics (DMT, Ayahuasca) have proven to be absolutely stellar in many cases involving those exact conditions..
I'm no shrink, so I can't claim there was a total "personality repair," but honestly, that's beside the point. What matters is that for many, there was a massive improvement..
That group also includes people dealing with severe childhood traumas, sexual abuse, etc..
I don't believe they necessarily possessed a strong ego structure, yet it helped them regardless..

Personally, I don't think things are quite this black and white.. Someone with a rock-solid personality might find relief, while someone without one might spiral into psychosis.. It's possible, but it's certainly not a guarantee..
Regardless of what kind of personality we're talking about, things can go in two directions: the trip could turn sour and lead to psychosis, or it could result in personality repair, to varying degrees..
Professional supervision during psychedelic use is absolutely essential and highly recommended..

I'm speaking specifically in the context of Ayahuasca, and potentially DMT, because that's what I follow. As for LSD, mushrooms, and the rest, I really don't know 😁..

Hey 🙂,
Has anyone here actually undergone surgery with Dr. Jurlina over at Rebro?

I can't wait for 😁..

Oh, wait, looks like it's already here—I see someone's already typing.. Anyone got a link where I can grab it?

mistymaker84 said:I do 😁, believe me, but I also know exactly who I'm dealing with. My sister isn't really the type to "get" this kind of thing—she’d probably just shrug and ask what the big deal is. And my parents, like I mentioned before, they're dealing with health issues, so they aren't exactly in a position to play referee for these kinds of dilemmas.

All I was trying to do was get a pulse check—you know, see if I'm just being the weird one here or if this is a real thing. I just wanted to see if anyone else has been stuck in a similar spot and how they navigated it...

You aren't weird. Though, there’s some truth to what a few people here said—that you’re essentially a guest in your parents' house, so you have to respect their rules and everything they allow your sister to do...
I don't know, your folks seem like genuinely wonderful people. Still, in my opinion, there’s such a thing as going too far. How can it be considered normal for an adult, mature individual to let someone move in and basically parasitize them? Most people would even push back against their own children over stuff like that, let alone a third party. No matter how much money you have, it just isn't natural or right. There is a massive difference between him crashing at your place for a weekend and actually moving in🤷..To me, that doesn't say anything great about his character. Then again, he's pretty young, so I suppose I can understand it to an extent...
Back when I was 19, I had a boyfriend whom I’d occasionally stay the night with, and I’d eat lunch at his place at least four times a week. Even then, I really valued their hospitality; I was tiny compared to everyone in that house, so I never felt entitled to act however I pleased... I had immense respect for his parents. Every Christmas, Mother's Day, or birthday, I made sure to get them a gift. This might sound silly to some, but I kept doing it even after we broke up. I just wanted to give something back; I felt so grateful for how they welcomed me and tried to make me feel comfortable... I never took that for granted.
To me, that kind of behavior is the norm, regardless of who it is. A few months ago, I went to New York City to take some certification exams, and since I wasn't staying local, I stayed with a friend for a few days. Even though she was a close friend, I felt a strong need to offer her some money. I simply cannot imagine being a burden on someone like that for that many days... Since I knew 100% that she wouldn't accept money out of politeness... I made sure to buy all the food that week—there was enough for both of us—and whenever we went out for coffee or dessert, I insisted on paying.
Just my two cents regarding your sister's boyfriend: if he doesn't have the funds to contribute to the household expenses, he should at least volunteer to help out with the chores. If he isn't doing that, then he truly🤷
We are all different, but I think this is the only decent way to think and act...
You really do have amazing parents, but if they had any principles or standards that adults should realistically hold, they clearly don't...

Anthony Lopez8 said:I went through the process of tapering off a massive dose of Effexor—which is notorious for its revolting withdrawal symptoms, including those very "brain zaps" you mentioned—and somehow, I made it out the other side. My approach was to gradually reduce the dosage, though I won't lie, it was an incredibly unpleasant experience. In fact, the "electrical" sensations became secondary to the other physical symptoms I had to endure. But, the trade-off is that I am currently entirely medication-free, and once those symptoms finally subsided, they stayed gone. Taking a full year to do it is a sensible strategy, especially if your symptoms are as intense as yours sound.

One thing many people in our situation consider a "miracle cure" for those brain zaps is taking high doses of Omega-3 fatty acids. I discovered this relatively late in my journey (and it was a bit difficult to source quality supplements since I don't eat animal products), so I can't say for certain if they are truly miraculous, but I would strongly suggest you look into it. Many people find it remarkably effective at mitigating those specific issues. If you decide to go that route, I might be able to help you look up which dosages tend to be most effective, though I don't have the specific numbers memorized right now...

As for psychiatrists, you hit the nail on the head—most of them seem to have absolutely no concept of the physical dependency these psychotropic drugs create (or perhaps they simply choose to ignore the reality of it, though I couldn't say which...).

Sorry, I trimmed your post down a bit... I'm also on Effexor. Since you clearly know your stuff, I was wondering: do you think taking those omega-3s alongside antidepressants is a good move? Specifically, could it help mitigate all those nasty withdrawal side effects later on? You mentioned an EPA omega; could you recommend a specific brand or product? I currently take one daily from Natural Wealtha, but I'm guessing that isn't quite the same thing... I'm actually considering bumping up my dose.
One more thing—did Effexor ever cause your pupils to dilate significantly? I've only been on it for two weeks, so I'm wondering if this will eventually settle down...

Daniel Chavez9 said:What happens if someone takes six 5 mg tablets of Ativan, 100 mg of Lariam, and two 0.5 mg doses of something else? Is this kind of dosage actually lethal, or am I just looking at a very long nap?

I’m calling out to any experts hanging around here—I know there are plenty of you—please weigh in. To everyone else: if you have follow-up questions, keep them to yourself. There are specific reasons why I’m not reaching out to an ER or a doctor directly; the situation is far too complicated for that. Just be human and help me out. Thanks.

I haven't taken any of those. But look, I have to say: if you have someone at home who took all of that and you can't wake them up, get to the ER right now!!!!
Anything could happen!
I'm no pharmacology expert, so I can't tell you for sure if that's an overdose or not, but my guess is that most people can be woken up from a "deep sleep"—if they can't, things are looking bad!!!
I really, truly hope it isn't what I think it is...

Kenneth Scott41 said:So, here we are...😁 I’ve been taking Effexor XR 150 mg twice a day, but I recently had to go in for a follow-up because things have honestly taken a bit of a turn for the worse lately. My doctor told me she couldn't just bump up my dose of Effexor XR 150 mg any higher.
Instead, she decided to layer in some Zoloft 50 mg along with Zeldox 40 mg 2 x. this Zeldox.
This Zeldox is pricey enough to cost more than $267, and even the Zoloft isn't exactly cheap, though I suppose I don't really have to worry about the bill myself since I'm covered by 🙂.

I was actually pretty apprehensive about starting the Zeldox because I know how heavy it can hit, but at 40mg, it seems to be hitting that sweet spot for me—I haven't struggled with insomnia at all. As for the Zoloft, it feels like it’s lifted my spirits a bit; I'm feeling significantly happier... I guess you could say I'm catching some good vibes.😁

It looks like my therapist might have actually hit the nail on the head regarding what I need.🙂

Man, now I’m actually starting to consider trying that Zoloft myself.😍
I'm not exactly feeling those "positive vibes" yet since switching to Zoloft from Effexor, if I'm being honest. That said, there is a silver lining: I’m definitely crying a lot less. The depressive thoughts haven't vanished—they're still there—but they aren't quite as heavily weighted by those overwhelming, crushing emotions anymore. It's a bit more manageable, at least.