Posts by steelwalker26

How exactly are they digging for this info? Do they hand you a form to fill out for your next visit, fire off an email, or just grill you right at the teller window while the whole branch listens in with nosey curiosity?

I can't dodge it; I have to swing by the branch next week because one of my cards expires at the end of the month, so I want to know what I'm walking into.

If they insist on forcing you to fill everything out right then and there, how much longer does that drag out the line for everyone else?

(And what the hell is wrong with this forum today? Every single page takes over five minutes to load 🙂)

@Noah Kern73/">@@Noah Kern73 🙏 A wall of text without a single comma, period, or line break? It’s like someone took a sledgehammer to my brain. Pure agony.

Look, http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/super-leight--2 is easily one of the top options globally—we're talking a 33 dB NRR. If you check that site, you'll see several different models, so you can pick whatever fits your ears best. Just grab them via Amazon. They come in a tiny, lightweight package, which is key because shipping won't break the bank; they just show up right at your doorstep in a standard envelope. It's a solid setup. When they get dirty, just toss them in a mesh laundry bag and throw them in the washing machine. Boom. They're good for a few more rounds.

Now, if you’re actually talking about headphones instead of earplugs, they carry those too (though I have no clue how anyone sleeps with those strapped to their head. Honestly, why?)

If you’ve been Googling heatstroke and heat exhaustion—which I’m betting you have—you’ve seen that it can actually be fatal in severe cases. That was a massive shock to your system. You probably owe your quick recovery to being young and having decent health, honestly. Minor blood pressure fluctuations caused by external factors like the heat or internal ones like an adrenaline spike cause everyone to feel "lightheaded" from time to time; it’s nothing out of the ordinary. You bounced back fast. Just be thankful you're okay and try to look out for yourself next time.

If you need any follow-up testing, your neurologist will be the one to tell you, but personally, I don't think you need to worry.

James Fisher2 said:I hit the pool intending to work on my tan. Showed up around noon or 12:30 PM and basically just baked under the sun all day. It was a scorching 90°F out there. No hat, no shade, and I didn't touch any food or water the entire day. By the time I headed home around 7:00 PM...

Why would anyone do that to themselves? Just sitting there roasting? And why skip food and water all day? Isn't there free water at the pool? Makes zero sense.

DIY fixes won't cut it for a problem like this. Stop overthinking the discomfort and just go see a doctor. That’s what they’re there for—to handle serious issues, and this is serious. Trust me, they see much worse than you can imagine on a daily basis. Just shut off that part of your brain worrying about their judgment; these people aren't your friends. Just get it done.
It's entirely possible you might need testosterone replacement therapy, but that's something that has to be diagnosed and monitored through the proper medical channels.

If you think this is just a little nudge to remind you to stand up straight—well, if you have the cash, go ahead and buy one. But honestly? It doesn't just fail to help; it actively harms you.

Why? Simple logic. If a brace is rigid enough to actually force your posture into place and support you, the very muscles that *should* be holding you upright become lazy. They atrophy because they aren't doing any work. Once you take that brace off, you'll collapse like a wet noodle. You aren't left with stronger muscles or better ligaments; you're left with worse ones.

The guy above hit the nail on the head—exercise is the only real solution. You ought to seek out professional guidance on what exactly to train, but strengthening both your core and your back muscles—in total balance, paired with regular, proper stretching— works wonders for the kind of slouching these /extravagantly overpriced/ braces claim to fix.

Sure, because the cause-and-effect logic is flawless: sex -> immune system crash -> passing out with convulsions.

Bravo, pal. You’re practically knocking girls unconscious.

If this were my sister or my daughter, I’d beat you so badly you wouldn't be put back together in Chicago.

So, what exactly is ecstasy? Or do you even know, besides thinking it's just a blast? Here’s a winning combo: three days of heavy drinking, some weed to take the edge off, a hit of X to keep you up, and zero food... then suddenly there’s a girl passed out, twitching away. What could possibly be wrong with her? 😲

Lupus. Legionnaires'. Sarcoidosis? U3PM.

Kyle Martin67 said:So they just kept drinking all night, through the morning, and even well into the afternoon—probably didn't stop until around 2 PM. Just relentless. He was there, and everything was just pure chaos. Was it just her immune system tanking? That’s my guess.

Kyle Martin67 said:...
Honestly, I don't see the big deal. Three days of drinking and barely eating anything? That’s a recipe for disaster right there. Your immune system takes a massive hit, your body just gives out. It's basic biology.

What exactly is this "zum zum" nonsense? Some kind of street drug? Are you actually trying to kill your girlfriend? Look, I’m putting this in writing so you can’t come crawling back later claiming, "Oh man, I HAD NO IDEA." This kind of recklessness? It’s a death sentence. Plain and simple.

The whole immunity thing. Let's talk about it. 🤦 What is wrong with you? How can you spout such absolute nonsense? Immunity protects against infectious diseases—how on earth could this possibly be an immunity issue? She caught the flu and collapsed into unconsciousness? I don't even have the words, for crying out loud. Whoever this girl's parents are, they are truly pathetic.

Betty Hayes10 said:... it seems more practical to skip this ridiculous ritual (wrapping it in bacon? boiling it in milk?) and just finely mince some garlic to sniff deeply several times a day.

I haven't gone down the rabbit hole on this one—and frankly, I wouldn't attempt a stunt like that in my own kitchen—but theoretically, certain medicinal compounds in garlic can dissolve in fats, potentially aiding absorption through the skin or the digestive tract. It’s why you traditionally see people sautéing it with bacon.😬

Betty Hayes10 said:I’m trying to wrap my head around how that would even work. I guess it's like putting a cold compress on your head when you have a toothache.

Sure, heat helps. But honestly, you probably missed those science segments on TV regarding the antiviral and antibacterial properties of essential oils (they demonstrated it with lavender and tea tree). In a lab setting, when they just bring a swab soaked in essential oil near cultured bacteria—without even touching them—those little monsters drop dead right before your eyes. You can probably find it on YouTube if you're interested.

It's obvious the same thing happens with the pungent component in garlic; it works through the skin and via inhalation too. That’s likely why those capsules where they strip out the smelly stuff to make them more palatable aren't nearly as effective.

By the way, here in the States, when someone gets a sore throat, the standard protocol is hot tea with lemon and honey, gargling salt water, using a propolis spray in the throat, and heading to bed early in a room with a humidifier running a few drops of those aforementioned essential oils. Ninety percent of the time, you're fine by the next day. On those rare occasions it doesn't work, you just ride out the fever for two days and you're back on your feet in three. No one in my family has touched antibiotics in years. My kid only took them once as an infant for an ear infection—obviously, you don't just let a child suffer through pain if there's a way to help.

Betty Hayes10 said:Garlic works. When someone is actually sick, they aren't exactly out hitting the town anyway. 🤷

So you're basically agreeing with me on this point too 😁

because I've repeatedly pointed out—and written about—people who stay healthy by taking garlic preventatively all through the fall and winter seasons, every single day. We're talking anything from two cloves a day to "the sky is the limit." If your job isn't being a lighthouse keeper on a deserted island, that combination creates a pretty intense sillage. 😉

But let me repeat myself one more time, since it clearly hasn't sunk in: I don't care if people take it. What bothers me is when they claim you can't smell it.

As for probiotics alongside antibiotics, you've already been given an answer.

Lozimka, I’d say you misunderstood me, but honestly, I think you didn't even read the thread. I’m not here to play schoolteacher; I’ve been laying out the exact same advice you’re now attributing to "someone else" since the very beginning.

I didn't start the garlic saga. I was merely quoting two people who recommended it, and only because they happened to mention using gum or milk to mask the scent. My point was simple: if garlic works for you, take it—but don't kid yourself thinking the smell disappears. I’ve made that perfectly clear multiple times, which is the only reason it even came up. My first post contains two quotes that back this up. If you want to actually read what I wrote instead of just skimming, go ahead. If not, there's nothing more I can do.

It isn't even off-topic. A few years back, I used garlic capsules, and after digging through some reviews for Allicin supplements, it seems there's a trade-off: reducing the odor often means reducing the immune boost. Basically, they fail to isolate the actual beneficial components.

Lozimka, why would I? It’s not like she’s doing anything wrong, and I have zero interest in making things awkward for her.

But if she sat down with me privately and confessed that she mashes two cloves of fresh garlic every single day—only to mask it with gum, milk, or some heavy perfume—I wouldn't just stay silent. Her family does the same thing at home, so they don't mind, assuming they even notice. I don't work directly with her, but I do with other women. There's this social etiquette where you aren't "supposed" to call someone out to their face, but it’s so easy to just roll your eyes behind their back, smirk, and gossip about them. In my view, that's just how 🤮
works.
Besides, everyone's senses are different—vision, hearing, even smell.
But I won't dwell on it; that's a whole different conversation.

steelwalker26 said:why on earth are you popping antibiotics for viral infections?

First off, antibiotics don't touch viruses. Second, they wipe out the good bacteria in your gut, which leaves your nutrient absorption shot to hell.

Build up your own immunity instead. Take a course or two of probiotics in capsule form to restore your gut flora. Stick to fermented dairy. Then move on to vitamin and mineral supplements alongside a more varied diet. Stay hydrated—drink plenty of water, rinse your nose regularly with saline, and use a propolis spray for your throat. You'll see the difference in a few months.

Jacob Stewart2 said:Out of all the advice everyone else here gave you, nobody mentioned the most critical point—especially given how many antibiotics you've taken to essentially kill off everything living inside you. Probiotics. Get them immediately.

The first damn response on this thread. You're commenting on other people's posts without even reading them. And from what I can see, the OP hasn't read them either.

bluegardener4 said:To be honest, I highly doubt anyone’s going to spot an inflammatory process here.I don't have any other underlying health issues, and generally speaking, I stay pretty on top of my wellness. As for why they keep prescribing me antibiotics? Honestly, I can't give you an answer there.

bluegardener4 said:My trips to the doctor follow a predictable pattern: I show up, they take a look at my throat, and that’s basically it. It says it's on. Then he prescribes an antibiotic. He checks what they gave me last time just to make sure he switches me over to a different one now.

I've asked you five times now: what did the doctor actually tell you? Do you honestly think a sore throat isn't an inflammatory process?

Walter Thomas18 said:A little garlic isn't going to smell nearly as bad as you're making it out to be. Sure, garlic stinks (I'll give you that), but it only reeks from your breath if you go overboard with it. And honestly, it masks pretty well just like you described. Of course, there’s a scent, but it's not as extreme as you're claiming. The people who actually smell terrible are either skipping hygiene altogether—teeth or clothes—or they're consuming massive amounts.
If you're dealing with chronic inflammation or immune issues and want to dodge antibiotics, you might want to reconsider your dosage since it doesn't linger as heavily as you think...

So, am I wasting my time trying to find common ground here? Did I claim that a hint of garlic in a freshly cooked meal smells great? Yes, I did.

Did I quote people who devour two cloves every single day for months? Yes, I did. And that is A LOT. That constitutes a significant amount.

No, an amount like that cannot be masked by anything. And you want to know why I'm even bringing this up? Because people in the real world won't tell you that you stink. They won't do it. No matter how much it hits them, they'll stay quiet just to be polite.

You can't even sense it yourself, because the human nose adapts to whatever scent or stench it's surrounded by over time. It's like people working on industrial hog farms or down in pathology labs near formaldehyde. The nose gets used to it and only picks up maybe a tenth of what a stranger feels when they walk into the room.

Like I said—take as much as you want, I couldn't care less. But just know that two cloves a day will definitely be noticed by anyone near you, and it's not just your breath. You don't have to take my word for it, but someone needs to say it out loud.

@bluegardener4/">@@bluegardener4 - you still haven't answered my questions in posts 7, 9, and 11.

Elizabeth Rodriguez34 said:...
One year, right before flu season hit—about two months out—I started a regimen. I was taking two cloves of garlic every single day, both leading up to the season and throughout the duration of it.

Forget about chewing raw garlic if you're worried about that intense stench. Just mince it up and swallow it with water like you would a pill. If you still end up with that lingering breath, just knock back a glass of milk—it kills the odor right away. Chewing gum works too, I guess. 😁

Walter Thomas18 said:A bit of advice regarding garlic. I’d add this: take two cloves, mince them up, and give them a good smash...

At the end of the day, you need something strong enough to kill the stench.

I have to seize this opportunity.

First off: I completely respect your decision to eat whatever you want if it’s for the sake of your health and immune system.

Look, I’m asking you nicely—please. Don't even start. Don't kid yourselves—a glass of milk or a piece of gum isn't going to mask the stench of that much garlic. It’s a losing battle. That smell penetrates every single pore of your body and hitches a ride on your sweat. Before you know it, even your pinky toe smells like a garlic factory, and your clothes and shoes are completely saturated if you wear them for more than a few minutes.

Maybe garlic is actually amazing for your immune system. Or maybe it just works by making everyone around you instinctively back away because of the stench, effectively creating a social distance buffer that prevents them from passing you a virus. Why do I call it unpleasant? Look, if you toss a little garlic into a freshly cooked meal, it smells great—I'll stand by that. But once your body processes it and it mixes with your sweat? Let me be crystal clear: it's revolting.

There’s this woman at the firm I work for. Honestly, she’s great—super personable, knows her stuff inside and out, and everyone genuinely likes her. She’s polished, too; definitely not someone who shows up looking like they rolled out of a dumpster. But there’s a catch: everyone avoids standing near her. Turns out, she has this habit of consuming garlic in doses that look more like medical prescriptions than seasoning. When she walks down a hallway, a cloud follows her for a solid five minutes. It’s all well and good if you can function like that, but just a heads-up: be aware of the situation.

Jeremy Bishop35 said:Some lunatic acting confused 🤦

How old are you, twelve...? Try learning something before you start spilling nonsense all over this forum or just trolling?

The author should stop using antibiotics entirely and stick to tea, honey, propolis, lemon... anything that eats away at you from the inside creates resistance to the antibiotics you're pumping yourself full of. You don't need to run to a doctor for every little thing either; just pick up some basics at a CVS, like Coldrex or Aspirin Plus C, and relax. You'll be fine in a day or two.

This was aimed at me, right? I'm not even sure what triggered your reaction, but let's get this straight.

If you actually bothered to read the whole text, you'd see I was trying to find an explanation for why a doctor would prescribe so many antibiotics when the patient is showing symptoms of a viral infection—all without any testing or commentary on what is actually being treated. Honestly, it’s hard to believe this kind of thing actually happens. bluegardener4 didn't actually answer—I can't tell if he doesn't know or just won't say 🤷

I already told him in my very first reply that you don't treat viral illnesses with antibiotics. First, he claimed no tests were done. Then he mentions a blood panel from a year ago. My comment about the blood work was specifically because an old panel does nothing to confirm whether there is *actually* a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics.

Look, he doesn't know why he's feeling so poorly. Maybe he’s just highly sensitive to pain and deals with the same frequency of viruses as the rest of us. Or maybe he really is sick with something.

If anything else is unclear, just ask, but please stop cherry-picking words from here and there to jump to conclusions.
I have no idea what you meant by "everything that guts you from the inside creates resistance to the antibiotics you're pumping yourself full of," but whatever. You probably meant bacterial resistance, which I already covered on the previous page. But we aren't dealing with a bacterial infection here, are we? It's just going in circles.

What still puzzles me, and what I'd like an answer to from bluegardener4, is what the doctor actually says justifies prescribing any medication. In your medical records—whether paper or digital—there should be diagnostic codes linked to those prescriptions. Ask for them, or demand an explanation for this treatment plan. I mean, hey, that person is being paid via our taxes; they aren't high priests who are above questioning.

By the way, in case you weren't aware, a standard CBC won't show HIV or other viruses, though it will show an elevated ESR or white blood cell count in the event of an inflammatory process.