Exactly. The issue is we simply don't blink enough when we're glued to a monitor, which leads to total eye dryness.
Just head to a drugstore and ask for artificial tears. You don't need a prescription for them; they're available over the counter... there are plenty of brands out there. I can only think of Lumify off the top of my head, though there are others, I just can't recall the names right now.
If your eyes are feeling extremely dry, you should look into lubricating eye gels. I'm not entirely sure if you can find specific ones easily here in Washington, D.C., unless you order them online. Personally, I use Systane from Novartis, and applying the gel two or three times a day is sufficient for me—though I used to have to use drops much more frequently.
I handle all my bill payments through online banking too. I just hit the ATMs whenever I need cash, and honestly, thank God I finally escaped those endless lines at the local branches.🙂
The transaction fees I pay for these transfers are still a lot cheaper than the mental breakdown I'd have waiting in line at a teller window.😉
A sputum culture and its antibiotic sensitivity profile just don't carry the same weight as, say, a urine culture. Urine is essentially sterile under normal conditions, so any bacteria detected there is clinically significant. Sputum, on the other hand, is never sterile. In most cases, it is incredibly difficult to determine if the bacteria found in a sample are actually the culprits behind the pneumonia. Furthermore, toward the start of spring, we see a higher incidence of what are called "atypical" pneumonias, where the pathogens simply cannot be isolated through standard testing. Because of this, pneumonia is largely treated empirically. This means doctors base their decisions on symptoms, age, local epidemiological trends, blood work, X-rays, and so on. They estimate which type of pneumonia is likely occurring and select an antibiotic accordingly. Now, in most instances, they hit the mark with the right antibiotic, but sometimes they miss entirely... I just hope everything turns out alright for Fat Cow.
Fat Cow, hang in there and take care of yourself. 👍 👋
P.S. Oh, and those "general measures" are also extremely important... specifically rest (or rather, complete inactivity) and plenty of fluids. You also need time—you can't just expect to bounce back from pneumonia in five days, no matter how mild it seems.
storytelj said:Whatever. It doesn't matter. We had more fun anyway. 😎
I agree, though perhaps those folks from the '68 movement were the ones talking like that during the New Wave era. 😉 Even today’s kids are obsessed with this new wave; they’re all out there losing their minds over Adele. They act like they know more than I do about when the legendary shows actually went down at Studio 54. 😉 ... but they're missing the atmosphere that made it all happen.
Watching this movie reminded me that we were incredibly lucky kids back then. We had no idea what was coming our way. Washington, D.C. was finally starting to wake up, and you could actually feel this sense of momentum and pure enthusiasm in the air.
Honestly, I actually appreciate that the movie didn't try to be some walking encyclopedia of the New Wave. Instead, it focused on capturing the actual vibe... I was genuinely impressed seeing all those vintage Fiats and hair straighteners out on the streets. The long lines for coffee and laundry detergent, the rolling blackouts, those catastrophic reports about the national debt, the skyrocketing inflation... if you look at it objectively, the entire system was collapsing right under our feet. Yet, we didn't even realize it. It was like we were all living in some kind of parallel universe. The New York Times published an article today where Smith claims that this recent wave was nothing more than a pipe dream... It’s a beautiful thing when you still have the capacity to dream in your youth. 🙂
I just watched it tonight... though I definitely made a rookie mistake by catching it at Times Square because I was trying to dodge the crowds at the Student Union. Big mistake. You really need to see this film at the Student Union; the sound system at Times Square is way too high-end for footage recorded twenty years ago.
I liked the film. I wasn't expecting some exhaustive encyclopedia on the New Wave era, mostly because I lived through it myself. That was my youth—high school and the start of college. My high school was perfectly situated, right halfway between The Village and the Student Union 😉... seeing it again just reminded me of what a great time that was. 🙂
Back then, I felt like the whole world was mine for the taking; I just had to reach out and grab it. I honestly wonder if today's younger generations ever get that same feeling while they're growing up... or if there were just better vibes in the air back then. 🙂
I haven't quite gotten the impression that appearance—or rather, their distorted perception of it—is the primary driver for these women. Instead, it seems to be an obsession with controlling every single variable in their environment.
I know several women who seem to have "recovered" from Anorexia, meaning they’ve stabilized their weight, yet the behavioral patterns remain unchanged. Everything is meticulously planned down to the smallest detail. Life goes smoothly as long as things follow their exact script—whether it's college, a career path, or even marriage. However, the moment something unpredictable happens that they can't fully dominate, they regress right back to those old eating habits.
I don't want to generalize, but every girl I know with this struggle is highly intelligent, charming, and unassuming. They make excellent conversationalists, which actually makes them masterful manipulators within their families and inner circles. At the end of the day, sooner or later, they always get their way.
stormylynx14 said:She isn't depressed, but she definitely seems to have a perfectionist streak.
You hit the nail on the head there. In my experience, every girl I've met struggling with Anorexia fits that exact profile... honestly, I'd go as far as to say they're just pathologically overambitious.
My advice? Get that child to an on-call ophthalmologist at your local hospital immediately... Based on your description, it is impossible to distinguish whether this is simple conjunctivitis or keratitis, which is a significantly more serious matter. It is reckless to start using Dexamethasone drops without first ruling out viral keratitis.
What I stated above refers specifically to a permanent disability to work. In this particular instance, we are still looking at a temporary incapacity... which makes perfect sense, given that the surgeon will likely be able to make a formal recommendation after three months.
I am not entirely certain what the standard protocols are for temporary disability following these types of surgeries. It is possible the standard period is only one month, requiring a new surgeon's opinion for every subsequent extension—I don't know. One should probably consult with their primary care physician to get the facts. There are likely administrative reasons behind this as well. As Joshua Chavez pointed out, the employer is actually the one paying the medical commission, not Medicare. Essentially, if sick leave lasts up to a month (or perhaps 45 days, I can't recall the exact number), the company covers the cost. Once you pass that threshold, Medicare takes over the bill. Consequently, it is more financially advantageous for Medicare to have a patient take three separate one-month leaves (with a single day of work in between each) so the money comes out of the company's pocket instead of Medicare's. 👎
But unfortunately, that is just how the system works. Once bureaucracy gets involved, actual medicine is sidelined, and common sense goes right out the window. 😢
The surgeon needs to put in writing exactly which "heavy duties" the hospital is prohibited from assigning. If he just mentioned it verbally, then frankly, it’s completely useless.
Furthermore, an employer isn't obligated to change a workstation based solely on a discharge summary or medical history—those are documents meant for the patient and their doctor, and ultimately, they are private. To force a change, the employer requires an official ruling from a Medicare commission.
There exists a job description protocol that determines whether certain tasks can or cannot be performed alongside a specific illness. For instance, labeling a task as "heavy" is far too vague... one must distinguish whether we are talking about lifting heavy loads (which requires an exact weight specification), or perhaps walking uphill—which, for certain medical conditions, is actually more taxing than carrying a bag of cement.
If a disease makes it impossible to perform a specific role, a specialist must initiate the process for a job reassignment and a residual work capacity assessment. In such instances, an occupational medicine specialist should be consulted. (For example, if a woman lives in Washington, D.C., her best bet is to consult the occupational medicine department at the local community health center... I believe that team is located near the suburban neighborhood.)
Once it is determined that the patient can no longer perform certain duties, a ruling on reduced work capacity for those specific tasks is issued, which automatically triggers a decision regarding a change in job placement.
This is precisely where nasty problems arise. An employer might claim there is no suitable vacancy for such a worker within the company (often citing issues with professional qualifications), and they quickly declare that employee redundant. From there, you already know how the story ends 😢 ... while larger corporations usually manage to find a substitute position, those roles are sometimes lower-paying.
My advice is for the woman to assess whether her current company can actually accommodate a different role (if she works for a private entity, she might want to forget about that possibility entirely). Once she decides, she should speak with her physician and her surgeon about initiating the formal procedure for a job reassignment.
The medical review board consists of various specialists, which means a general practitioner can absolutely sit on it... they are just as qualified to handle these matters as an ENT or an ophthalmologist, if anything, they're more so.
As > already pointed out, there are established guidelines regarding the duration of disability leave for every specific illness or condition. These standards are based on the average, typical course of treatment.
If a procedure results in complications, or if there are other reasons for a slower recovery and extended incapacity, then the specialist—in this case, the surgeon—must explicitly state and justify those reasons. This documentation is then reviewed by the Medicare commission, which ultimately approves or denies the claim. If the specialist provides a clear, well-argued justification, my understanding is that the commission usually accepts it; however, if something is vague, they will request an independent medical evaluation.
So, before you go attacking the GP at the review board, make sure the specialist surgeon actually provided the justification for the extended leave. 😉
Alright, I’m keeping a close eye on things today. 🙂 I’m still using VirusCom, though... the corneal ulcerations have finally receded, but who knows when they might flare up again. There’s a slim chance they won't return, but I'm not holding my breath.
I picked up some time-release Vitamin C tablets and started taking 1 gram a day. Is that enough? Honestly, I'm skeptical about whether this will actually make a difference, but I suppose I'll give it a shot.
My diet is a mess—completely irregular—and I’m likely deficient in several vitamins. However, fixing my nutrition would require a total lifestyle overhaul, which just isn't feasible for me right now. So, I'll have to rely on whatever supplements I can find.
In less than two weeks, I’ve dealt with corneal erosion on the same eye for the second time. My ophthalmologist confirmed today that we're actually looking at herpetic keratitis. I'm currently using VirusCom ointment, keeping one eye shut, and stumbling around my apartment because judging distances with one eye is a total nightmare. 😢
I spent today reading through a mountain of literature regarding recurrent corneal erosions and herpes, and most sources boil down to a few key culprits:
I can't control points 1 and 2, and as for 3—well, I hope I don't have anything like that (and if I do, I'm certainly not ready to face it yet). That leaves diet as the only variable I can actually influence.
Some studies point to poor nutrition in developing nations as a driver for corneal damage. It’s not like I’m eating as poorly as people in India, but my diet is likely far from perfect. Some experts suggest ramping up Vitamin C intake.
Since I am admittedly clueless when it comes to nutrition, I would appreciate some guidance from the experts or anyone with experience... what should I be prioritizing, and what should I stay away from?
Casey Palmer5 said:I honestly don't get why they call it Braunil... Does anyone actually know?
Actually, the correct name is Intranil. If I recall correctly, when these first hit our markets, the factory-protected version was branded as Braunil—back when the manufacturer was likely called Brown or something similar. That’s why the name stuck. 😁
Velma, I hope everything goes smoothly with your mom👍
If it helps at all, my own experiences with the local Trauma Center have been excellent. From what I understand, when it comes to these types of procedures and treatments, the Trauma Center and Mayo Clinic tend to yield the best results, so I’m hopeful everything turns out fine for your mom🙂
I'm not sure how old your mother is, but I assume she's at an age where osteoporosis is a significant concern—the hip fracture certainly suggests as much. Has she had a bone density scan recently? Also, is she currently on any medication for osteoporosis, like bisphosphonates, or is that something being planned?
boldgardener93 said:You’re right about that buzzing sensation. I’ve got a bit of a cold right now and my sinuses are acting up, so that’s likely the culprit. It has nothing to do with an asthma attack. Stay healthy.🙂 .
Not a chance.
Whether you're dealing with allergic or non-allergic Asthma, rhinitis almost always tags along for the ride. During an asthma flare-up, nasal congestion is a standard part of the struggle. When that nasal mucosa swells, you aren't just fighting for air through your nose; you're also blocking the sinus drainage pathways—which is exactly why those sinus infections and headaches kick in. Furthermore, it obstructs the Eustachian tube, which is responsible for regulating pressure in the middle ear. This leads to that annoying ringing or popping sensation in your ears. If you neglect it, you're looking at the risk of a ruptured eardrum.
Jack Harris3 said:granitebadger25, that leg extension routine you suggested isn't doing anything. However, when I'm sitting down with my legs spread and lift my toes, I feel something in one specific spot on my leg. It’s not an intense pain, but there’s definitely a dull ache there. Is this actually working? 😁 Just asking since it seems like my doctor isn't getting me anywhere... 😢 😲
Good grief, Jack, that's not a recipe, it's a sign 😠 A recipe? Please... we aren't in a cooking class 😁
To be honest, I can't tell which leg you're even talking about (front or back 😁 ) ... but the trick is to move the entire foot forward and back while keeping your heel firmly planted on the floor.
I was just staring into my coffee cup 😁 and it looks to me like Jack has some issues and needs to see a specialist. 🙂 🙂
Andrew Anderson6 said:Huhhhhhhh; I’d honestly rather not even write this; but maybe you should just go see a doctor. Look—if it were a blood clot, you’d likely have issues with just one leg, not both symmetrically.
Hmm, true... unless it's bilateral thrombosis, I guess. And Pesica says one leg is slightly more swollen than the other.
Don't be an idiot, Jack Harris3, just get to a doctor... don't worry, we'll make sure to throw you a little celebration over at ZK once you're better. 😉