Posts by swiftbear86

What kind of markup would feel totally out of line to you?

Could you let me know which specific medication we're talking about?

Blood Work.

You can find all the specifics on this medical biochemistry lab's website:

I'd suggest checking in with your local clinic's lab, though honestly, any hospital lab should be able to handle it for you.

The pharmacy staff actually did everything exactly right here.

I was scrolling through an old thread recently, and it got me thinking. I wanted to bump this topic up to see if everyone could jump in and share their own experiences. I have a few questions for you all:

a) Do you have a "go-to" pharmacy? What keeps you going back—is it the expertise, how friendly they are, or just because it's right around the corner?
b) Are you generally happy with the service and how knowledgeable the pharmacists are?
c) Can you actually tell a difference in the skill level of the staff?
d) What’s your ideal pharmacy experience? Do you want someone who really listens and smiles, or do you prefer they just give you a quick, direct recommendation for one specific product?
e) What are your biggest pet peeves when you walk into a pharmacy?
f) On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your usual pharmacy, and what’s the reason for that score?

If you're feeling ambitious, take a look at these articles and let me know what you think:

Nicholas King said:I think there's been a fundamental misunderstanding here. Of course, I am also talking about the Juilliard School. However—and this is where I think we're diverging—I believe our entire perception of what attending such an institution actually means is worlds apart. Even if we set aside the rather obvious fact that scoring a perfect grade on an entrance exam, especially in those early years, isn't some rare feat reserved for a tiny elite (so, frankly, it shouldn't be used as a metric for anything), your assertion that the "outcome is determined on the exam" essentially renders any further discussion moot.

We're clearly talking past one another.

It feels like we can't even communicate.

Everything I'm saying comes from my own lived experience watching my kid go through music school.

To me, every conversation is worth having because I learn something new about myself and others.
I’ve learned a hundred times over that you really have to stay laser-focused when posting on a forum, otherwise people totally misinterpret what you’re trying to say.

An exam isn't just a grade on a piece of paper; it represents the actual knowledge and skill needed to tackle the next level's curriculum.
Depending on that performance, the teacher decides which pieces you'll play next.
If you have a "great result," they’ll hand you more challenging compositions the following year.
That’s just how it works in our experience.
And look, a perfect score doesn't have to be the ultimate yardstick. Every teacher has their own standards and ways of measuring progress.
Plus, the exam is usually evaluated by a panel of three professors, each giving their own assessment.

If you'll excuse me, I'm going to take the liberty of pointing out that my child is doing EXCELLENTLY.

For me, the whole point of music school is learning to play an instrument you love, becoming musically literate, and maintaining that passion long after graduation. Music can inspire you to compose your own stuff, rearrange existing tracks, experiment with your ear, and all that.
I do feel like the curriculum could use more focus on music history, famous musicians, composers, and their masterpieces, but apparently, that's covered in the Elementary School curriculum, so they leave it out of the music school program.

Larry Walker24 said:I started music school back when I was just a first grader in elementary school! But then, once I hit sixth grade, they wouldn't let me enroll in a specialized music high school right away. They told me I had to wait two years. By the time I was finally allowed to go, I’d already forgotten everything I learned. So now, all I have to show for it is some random middle school music credits.

Why didn't you just keep practicing at home or grab some private lessons to stay sharp, especially since you clearly had the drive to go pro? (Unless, of course, money was an issue)

Do you think starting a kid in music during their first year of Elementary School is too early, or are they actually ready for it by then?

Nicholas King said:It seems we are discussing two entirely different subjects here: I am talking about music, the actual art of performing, and everything surrounding it—whereas you seem solely preoccupied with exams and grades.

Honestly, it's probably better that we're looking at this from different angles.

Since the topic is music school, that's where I'm staying.
I'm speaking from my own experience watching my kid go through a standard public music school—the kind with an official curriculum approved by the Department of Education. They have the tests, the grades, and the formal report cards.

Now, you can definitely make music without being in a formal school setting, which usually forces a strict schedule of lessons and practice onto a kid. At the end of the day, a child needs to have the drive and the genuine interest, plus enough maturity to follow a structured program. Some kids will be ready for that in first grade, some won't be ready until third... and some just never will.

Nicholas King said:The reality is, you’ve effectively bypassed a year of actual playing time.

Sure, plenty of kids have the talent to breeze through the initial curriculum of a music conservatory in less time than expected—but let's be honest here, that syllabus isn't designed arbitrarily. The whole structure exists because you simply cannot compress two years of musical experience—and I mean the actual practice and performance, not just sitting in a classroom—into a single year without compromising the quality of the end result.

The results speak for themselves during the exam.
Every piece of music carries its own level of difficulty.
If you attempt a piece that requires advanced skills or higher-level theory, the instructor will know right away if you actually have the foundation to move up to that grade.
I don't even need to mention that she passed everything with flying colors.

Hannah Long72 said:Alal, you’re a real one! 🙏

I try my best.
Thanks.

Nicholas King said:I was specifically talking about the points awarded when a kid drops out of music programs after third grade. I wrote that it was a shame they lost out on points over just one single year—so, no, I wasn't claiming you have to finish all of High School to get them.

As for that story of yours involving grade skipping and all that other nonsense, I honestly see it as more of a confirmation than a refutation of my point. I mean, why would anyone even bother skipping a grade if it wasn't because the kid enrolled "too late"? Why wouldn't a child just follow the standard 😁year-by-year
progression?

My bad, I didn't read that closely enough.
Obviously, starting earlier is better, but our situation proves that even starting in 4th grade isn't too late.
We didn't actually skip a grade—she just packed two years' worth of intense High School coursework into a single year.

She didn't sign up for music just to chase credits (though that was part of it); it was really because she fell in love with playing the piano after spending time with a friend who was already in the first year of High School.
The talent was always there.
She finished school a few years ago, and she still plays every single day.
Of course, she picks her own repertoire now, so it’s moved way beyond just following a standard curriculum.

Hannah Long72 said:Thanks so much, 😘

Man, do I even really need to go there? 😬

Basically, you just head to the local Medicare office based on where you live.
If you're feeling unsure about it, just check in with your doctor.
You can find a full list of their regional offices right on the Medicare website.

Larry Walker24 said:but that doesn't count as finishing the full six-year primary music program.

I wasn't saying you need to graduate from a specialized High School to get those extra points. You just need to have at least four years under your belt.

My daughter actually graduated from one of those programs.

I was mostly talking about those bonus points Nicholas King brought up. Plus, there's the issue of it being way too late to start that kind of training if the kid is already heading into 4th grade.

"Evaluating other exceptional achievements from previous schooling
Candidates can also receive credit for other outstanding achievements from their prior education, provided that:
- they completed middle school while simultaneously finishing at least four years of a music or dance academy that holds
approval from the Department of Education, earning 2 additional points toward enrollment in "

Nicholas King said:I have no idea what you're basing such an utterly flawed claim on—honestly. Anything starting after the 3rd grade is just too late, if you ask me.

That’s not necessarily true.
We actually enrolled our daughter in music school during fourth grade.
Based on her teacher's recommendation back in second grade, she was put on an accelerated track, which allowed her to wrap up both second and third grade levels in a single school year.
Because of that, she finished her primary music studies right around the same time she finished elementary school.

And honestly, she still loves playing today.🙂

Even just completing four years of music school is enough to get those extra credit points when applying to High School.

Drew Miller48 said:To be honest, I have no idea.
That is simply what my doctors told me. Perhaps it isn't the liver causing the high blood pressure, but rather excess weight and a lack of activity. You mentioned blood pressure and liver disease previously. Ultimately, I am waiting for my doctor to return from vacation before I head back for more blood work.
By the way, what do BP and BB stand for? I'm unfamiliar with those abbreviations, excuse me.

RR is just shorthand for your measured blood pressure reading.

BB stands for beta-blockers, which is a specific group of medications that work on your cardiovascular system.

There's actually an entire thread dedicated to them right here http://www.forum.com/showthread.php?t=189816

Just testing things out to see if this works.

test 1

If you want to actually "see" a medication in your system, you need a very specific type of lab test.
The term "toxicology screen" is pretty broad, so the real question is what substances they're actually looking for in their panel.

I'm honestly not entirely sure if your specific meds will even show up on a standard test.

redcrane22 said:My bloodwork looks fine,
but my urinalysis just lists those bacteria exactly how I described it earlier.
My primary care doctor thinks maybe that’s what was making me feel so crummy.
And by "crummy," I mean I was feeling dizzy and actually felt sick...

So she put me on antibiotics for these "rare" bacteria.
What does "rare" even mean here?
Which ones are we talking about?

The microscopic exam showed a few bacteria present.
Only a urine culture can pinpoint the specific type of bacteria, but you only had a standard "urinalysis." That basic test isn't designed to identify the exact strain.

Usually, there's no need for antibiotics if we're just talking about "rare" bacteria.

Gregory Mitchell90 said:Well, I guess I’m officially joining the "painful periods club!"
It usually starts right in the middle of my cycle—though not every single time since my ovulation isn't exactly predictable—and the pain lingers for a few days before finally letting up. Then, the nightmare repeats the morning before my period actually hits. Once it arrives, I’m basically glued to painkillers for the first three days, even though they barely touch the pain. On day one, I’m knocking back about seven pills, then five on the second day, and maybe two on the third. My gynecologist actually suggested this specific routine because I can only really tolerate Lupocet; nothing else seems to work for me, and even that just takes the edge off a little. For those first two days, I’m completely out of commission and can't even make it to school. The flow is intense—lots of heavy clotting—and I get these sharp pains in my right ovary and cramps so bad that sitting down is impossible. I just have to lie flat, and sometimes I even run a fever.

Does anyone know of any exercises that actually help ease the cramps and pain? I feel like I’ve tried everything under the sun. When I went in for my high school entrance physical, the doctors actually suggested hormone therapy to try and regulate my cycle (since it's all over the place—sometimes I get it every 2-3 weeks, other times it's been 50 days), but they warned me there was a risk it could affect my ability to have kids later on or trigger other health issues.

I’m totally lost on this part!
What kind of hormone therapy would leave you unable to have children later?
?
You didn't mention how old you are, but generally speaking, hormone therapy is a huge help for dysmenorrhea; it can really dial down the bleeding and get things back on a regular schedule.
Is it possible you have a specific diagnosis where estrogen just isn't an option?

wiredridge152 said:Hey everyone, does anyone happen to have the phone number for the dermatology clinic over at East Community Health Center on 34 Slavnoska St? I need to call and book an appointment. 🙂

Here's what I found. You really ought to try searching Google a bit more often! 😉

http://hr.tealpages.com/HR/dom-zdrav...b-istok-1.html

melloworca6 said:Thanks, everyone. I couldn't even get their website to load yesterday, and honestly, I had no idea if those other lists I dug up were actually complete or just missing half the info.


swiftbear86 I have a question for you. I realized yesterday that my health insurance coverage actually expired back in September of last year. Even so, I’ve been calling my doctor regularly, and she’s been calling in my prescriptions—I think I’ve picked up three boxes of Euthyrox and one Misar since then. How was my doctor even able to issue those prescriptions if I wasn't physically there? And more importantly, how on earth did the pharmacy let me walk out with my medication? Every single time, they take my insurance card, type everything into the system, and it's like they don't even notice it expired. It's wild.

I'm really glad you finally tracked down an answer.
Panic can really mess with your head sometimes. It’s one of those things that just hits you out of nowhere and leaves you feeling completely drained.
Look, there’s just no way around it: if you don't have active insurance, the pharmacy can't fill an e-prescription for you. It’s not like we have a choice in the matter. When someone's coverage—whether it's their basic plan or supplemental insurance—has lapsed, a red cross pops up right on our screen. When that happens, we usually just tell the patient they need to head over to the Medicare office to get their info sorted out. The system automatically checks the validity of your insurance the moment you try to pick up a prescription, so there's no bypassing it. It actually happens more often than you'd think. Sometimes people switch jobs and the new employer doesn't get them registered in the system right away, or maybe their supplemental coverage expires and they just don't realize it. In those cases, we try to double-check their status through Cezih, but if that doesn't clear things up, we still have to send them straight to the Medicare office to fix it.