Honestly, there are certain types of grass that are just sharp. Didn't any of you kids ever end up with little paper cuts from the lawn when you were growing up? When your skin is sweaty, it just makes those tiny nicks feel even more sensitive. Plus, the sweat gets right into those micro-cuts and everything starts stinging intensely. You know that sharp, biting sensation you get from a paper cut? It’s exactly that effect.
To me, they still sound most like mites, they're certainly visible, but they don't necessarily have to be sitting right on the mattress; they can hide somewhere near the bed and just come up at night—they're actually quite fast.
Why don't you try Googling "bed bugs" or "bed bug bites" and take a look at some photos of the bites? I've found quite a few examples online, so maybe compare them to what yours look like.
If you’re feeling those bites, you’re likely dealing with either fleas or lice, or something along those lines. Do you have any pets at home? If so, it’s probably fleas; if not, lice seems more likely.
Dust mites—which typically inhabit things like bedding, carpets, or upholstery—aren't actually visible and they don't bite. They mostly just trigger allergies in sensitive people.
Generally speaking, when it comes to killing off bacteria, mites, or bugs, I know steam disinfection is quite effective, and it's a safe way to go about it.
I found something else as well; it could be bed bugs. I read somewhere that they tend to lie dormant during the winter, which might actually align best with how you described your situation. There are some photos of the insect there, so you can compare them to these little monsters. http://www.epa.gov/pests/bedbugs And here is a more detailed description in English: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/bedbugs/
From what I understand, the real issue with them is that they hide in cracks, walls, floors—everywhere. That would explain why simply replacing your mattress didn't solve the problem. It might be worth looking for a professional to help you get rid of these pests once and for all.
You can use an insurance referral, but unless you have a glaring issue that qualifies as an emergency, you’re looking at a waitlist. You'll likely be sitting there for a few months before they see you—for instance, if you go to a major hospital like Mayo Clinic, the wait for thyroid testing is currently running about three months.
If you actually qualify as an emergency case, there are ways to get seen sooner,
but if you need results fast without any drama, honestly, just going to a private clinic is your best bet. And yeah, that total price for a full hormone panel is a bit steep, though I suspect $133per individual hormone, it's quite high. In my experience, a thyroid panel runs around $250 (and it gets pricier if you include antibodies), while for reproductive hormones, I'm not entirely sure, but it shouldn't exceed $100 per hormone.
There is one new detail to keep in mind, though, regarding specialist referrals: you have a one-month window to actually schedule your appointment. Once you've booked it within that timeframe, the referral remains valid until your scheduled date arrives. In other words, if your doctor gives you a referral for a specific exam and you contact a hospital or clinic within that first month to get on their books—even if they tell you they can't see you for another two months—your referral is still considered valid. (I believe they implemented this change to deal with the backlog and the massive number of unused referrals floating around.)
It might help if your ears feel plugged due to sinus pressure, since it works from the inside out, but if the issue is external, I’m not so sure. Earwax tends to be quite oily, and I doubt salt can really dissolve it. It might just end up making things worse by trapping seawater in there—in fact, the salt could actually trigger even more wax production. Personally, whenever I’m at the beach, I find myself having to clear my ears way more often.
If you're dealing with a toothache that requires emergency surgery, you're definitely entitled to sick leave, but my sense is that your primary care physician handles those requests rather than the dentist itself. So, once you've coordinated a time with your dentist, you should probably check in with your doctor to get the paperwork squared away for those days off.
Robin Diaz4 said:Actually, since I’ve already brought it up—a friend of mine went through the program and was incredibly happy with the results. Honestly, she looks like a completely different person; the weight loss was nothing short of dramatic... By the way, ironsurfer8—if you don't mind me asking—what kind of damage are we talking about in terms of cost?
When I went there last year, they offered a specific $15 treatment. A full package of ten sessions for weight loss was $350, though I heard the prices have gone up since then.
Robin Diaz4 said:Honestly, I shouldn't even be critiquing this—just fixing typos... by the way, regarding that little slip-up earlier—it was just a matter of moving the letter, not erasing it entirely. 😉
I realized where the joke was a moment too late 😬 , but honestly... it doesn't really matter now.
It’s hardly a joke, I actually tried it myself and it worked wonders. I lost weight without having to obsessively track every single calorie, my anxiety levels dropped, and I felt like I had more energy overall.
However, I should probably offer a word of caution: the results aren't necessarily permanent. I went in for treatments for about a month. My doctor advised that I needed at least a month-long break before starting again, suggesting the effects would linger for another month or two—and for a while, that was exactly how it played out. A few months down the road, though, the weight started creeping back on. I really ought to have gone back for another round of treatment, but life got in the way. I dealt with some health issues related to acupuncture that ended up triggering some weight gain, so I've unfortunately found myself right back where I started.
That being said, if you're healthy, have the budget for it, and the discipline to stick to it, you can lose a significant amount of weight with fairly lasting results. I know several people for whom it worked perfectly fine.
The truth is, all that excess Vitamin C, caffeine, and whatever else is packed into DayQuil just sends you running to the restroom. I wouldn't recommend going that route, if you decide to ask a doctor, though, just be sure to explain the whole situation clearly. It’s possible they might prescribe something like a corticosteroid that provides a temporary fix—basically masking the symptoms. It's that quick burst that makes you feel functional for a few hours before you inevitably crash back into bed. Of course, that isn't exactly a smart long-term strategy, but if things are truly that urgent...
A biopsy doesn't necessarily have to be painful; if you aren't already dealing with discomfort, there shouldn't be much lingering soreness after the procedure, I understand what you mean regarding PCOS, but I’m assuming you didn't experience any abdominal cramping following the exam itself. I suppose everyone has a different pain threshold, but personally, if I had gone through what Rebecca Williams3 went through during her exam, I would have looked for a new doctor immediately.
I haven't had to undergo a breast exam from a gynecologist yet, though they did send me for an ultrasound as a precaution before starting birth control.
There’s an entire thread on the women's forum dedicated to gynecologists, where quite a few women have shared stories about doctors being unnecessarily rough . However, there are plenty of practitioners known for their gentle approach, so it might be worth browsing through those recommendations. While an exam can always be a bit uncomfortable, it shouldn't be painful—and in my opinion, bleeding isn't a normal reaction either. You should probably look for someone else.
Mine only tend to curl at the tips, but lately, they haven't been doing that nearly as much, and honestly, they're looking a bit healthier too, so I might just give that Trident stuff a shot, who knows, I might actually end up with long nails after all 😁
Listen, it might honestly just be a vitamin deficiency. Taking a high-quality multivitamin or supplements like Centrum or Nature Made can really help address the core issues behind brittle nails and thinning hair—things like vitamins A, B, D, and E, plus zinc, copper, and iron. If you happen to be dealing with any mild anemia, this could make a difference, though I wouldn't expect an overnight miracle. You’ll likely need a month or two before you notice any actual change. That said, if you're experiencing other symptoms, it might be worth sitting down with your doctor to rule anything else out.
If you're looking for nail polish, check out the cosmetics aisle first. If my memory serves me right, there was some kind of Trident product—or something similar—that a few regulars on these forums swear by as a total lifesaver for nail health. As far as supplements go, anything containing a B-complex usually does the trick. I used to take Fitoval, which worked wonders for both my hair and my nails. But if your nails are truly that painfully thin and brittle, are you absolutely certain there isn't an underlying health issue at play that hasn't surfaced yet? (Before I realized I had a thyroid issue, I dealt with the exact same thing—my nails would just shatter and peel. They were so thin that even getting a manicure was painful; I couldn't handle gel extensions or filing because it felt like the drill was hitting the nerve itself.)
In my amateur opinion, you might not even need to see a surgeon for this. A skilled aesthetician could probably make an incision and clear it out for you. There’s a chance it could heal on its own, but it would likely be less hassle and cheaper than booking a surgical consultation. Maybe do a little more digging first, though, of course, everything really comes down to how big and deep the cyst actually is.
If you're taking something like ibuprofen for pain, having some milk or yogurt on hand can be helpful since it helps buffer the stomach. However, if you're dealing with antibiotics, you might want to stick to a few crackers or something similar instead; I believe dairy can actually interfere with how well those get absorbed. Just be mindful of your stomach