Posts by swiftbear86

Nicole Parker93 said:Taman timing on this one... here in the States, you just see your OB-GYN, they give you a prescription for the pills, and it's a pretty straightforward process. I wasn't sure how things worked over there, though.

It’s the exact same way here... you head to your doctor, they write up a prescription, and then you either pick it up at a pharmacy with insurance or just pay out of pocket if it's a private script. The doctor decides which specific ones you need.👍

Robin Diaz4 said:I couldn't agree more, which is exactly why I finally kicked the habit. I have zero interest in adding any unnecessary risks to my life right now. But yeah, truth be told, I used to smoke back in the day—and let’s just say I tried quitting about a hundred times. Every single one of those attempts involved leaning heavily on pills to get through it. 😳
As I get older, my health starts becoming a much more pressing concern. Honestly, I didn't quit smoking just because of the tablets; it was more about realizing that, all things considered, making a change like that is simply a sound life decision. 🤷

Major props to you for making such a great call...👍

Chloe Gomez6 said:Yeah, but most of them just went in assuming it would be:

1. totally effortless
2. more than just a couple of people—we're talking at least ten
3. just a bunch of thirsty guys looking for any excuse to see some skin

That’s exactly it...

Ashley Rodriguez92 said:Alright.
Thanks.
I'm really hoping it's just a particularly strong ovulation this time.
Usually, my cycles are pretty quiet—it's like they're always hiding in the background.😉
I think that’s why I got a little spooked.
As for the cold, I always struggle with bladder issues; I'm just super sensitive to everything.

And honestly... you know what kind of underwear Bridget Jones was wearing?????😍

Angela Wright said:I mentioned earlier that I’m dealing with endometriosis. Basically, you can try to manage the symptoms with birth control pills, or you can opt for hormone injections—but those come with side effects so brutal they feel like being in a coma.

Look, I’m a smoker too... and I totally get it, quitting is incredibly tough.😁☕
But honestly, wouldn't it still be worth the effort???😕

Angela Wright said:I'm in.
I remember it vividly—back in 2005 when I had my endometriosis surgery. The doctor at the hospital gave me the lowdown on Yasmin just like he was talking to a kid: "Look, honey, if you smoke, forget about it... I'll be putting you straight on injections instead." So yeah, this whole Yasmin drama started way before any of these recent headlines.
Unfortunately, most people just prefer to look the other way when things get uncomfortable.

What kind of injections are we talking about? Hormones are hormones, regardless of whether it's the pill or something else, right?😕

Robin Diaz4 said:mellowsurfer34, I went through the exact same thing during my first month on the pill. It’s perfectly normal; if I recall correctly, it's actually mentioned in the patient information leaflet. If you haven't had a chance to read those instructions yet, I’d highly recommend doing so.
Since I’ve been on the pill for about ten years now (with a few breaks here and there), and I only actually quit smoking this year, I’m still very much alive 😁. In fact, I just had a full blood panel done two months ago, and everything came back absolutely perfect...

By the way—smoking is an absolute no-go when you're using birth control!!!!!😠 The risk of blood clots jumps up significantly... and honestly, all those blood clotting tests people insist on before starting are usually pretty pointless because everyone's results come back normal anyway. A doctor should really just look at your medical history to decide if you're a good candidate or not. Smokers simply aren't candidates. Most of those tests are just done to make patients feel better, but they're expensive and largely unnecessary (I'm talking about things like clotting time and prothrombin time). The biggest cardiovascular risk window is usually within those first three months of use...
There's actually a medical textbook called "Benefits and Risks of Hormonal Contraception" by Dr. Shimunic and colleagues. If anyone can track down a copy, it's worth a read...
☕

Thomas Palmer7 said:I mean, I get it... but since I’m a bit skeptical about those pills anyway, I was thinking maybe I should just factor in being protected. But if I'm not actually covered, then it’s just... whenever and wherever...

There really isn't any reason to be skeptical here. Combined birth control works by stopping the hormones that trigger ovulation in the first place. It also thickens the cervical mucus and thins out the uterine lining, which basically makes it impossible for anything to implant. As for ovulation, it can happen on the very day you miss a pill—or even a day or two later. If you ever forget one, that's when you definitely need to use backup protection, like a condom.🙄
Hope that helps clear things up!☕

Ashley Rodriguez92 said:I'm terrified!!!

Honestly, there's really nothing to worry about...🙂
If you had sex right before your period started, pregnancy is pretty much off the table...
Also, that light spotting you noticed around day 15? That sounds more like ovulation than anything else...
It's also super likely you just caught a bad cold or a bladder infection. When you get a UTI, it shows up as lower abdominal pain and needing to hit the bathroom constantly...
That said, the smartest move is always to just call your doctor... and get some actual answers so you can stop stressing.👍

Arthur Wright3 said:How much does it take for you to get worked up? You're acting just like swiftbear86 here... 😛😁

I'm not even mad. It’s just that I really don't enjoy threads where people are just tearing into each other, and this one felt like it was heading that way.
To be honest, I expected a different kind of conversation—not just an automatic attack on healthcare workers from the jump. 🤷👎
Maybe that's what makes me "sensitive," if that's what you want to call it. 😍

🙄

Arthur Wright3 said:I was just being sarcastic. 🙄

I can tell you're being sarcastic...😉
I just wanted to point out that there are definitely people who believe even young doctors need to learn through real-world experience.
Good grief... even here in the States, you still run into people who abuse their positions of power.
You really ought to report stuff like that to the proper Chamber of Commerce...
It’s just like any other profession, really. No matter what field you're in, things tend to work out the same way.
I’m definitely one of those people who thinks a daily dose of Dr. Phil is plenty for anyone... though I guess I could probably make a few jokes about that topic too.
I guess this thread just isn't my cup of tea... 🙄
There are plenty of smarter folks out there where I could be sharing my thoughts instead...☕

Arthur Wright3 said:I honestly don't get why people ask such weird questions when we all know what kind of answer is coming.
Well, lady Melissa James70 pretty much laid it all out for you, and she did it based on just two of my comments—it was like watching a psychic reading from Milan. Honestly, even a real fortune teller would be embarrassed by how fast and spot-on that diagnosis was.

The thing is, I'm talking about my own kinks and fantasies here. Since everyone else has been sharing their personal stuff, I figured I’d indulge myself a little too. While I was away, let's just say I had some very satisfying solo time. Since my main goal was just to enjoy some self-pleasure, I actually want to thank everyone here for helping me get there.

I have no idea who this "psychic Milan" guy is... and frankly, I don't care. As for you, I hope you enjoyed yourself and reached your goal... I just can't wrap my head around what exactly you were using to get off...😂

darkmaker said:I wasn't sure where to post this, so if there's already a thread for it, I'll ask the mods to move it...

My gynecologist gave me a referral for some blood work and hormone testing...

But when I showed up at the lab with my paperwork, they told me they couldn't see me. Apparently, the referral has to come from my primary care doctor instead of a specialist...😕
The problem is, my GP won't write the referral because she isn't allowed to order gynecological tests...

So, what now?🤷

Last year, I didn't have any issues getting this done at all...

Well... it really just depends on exactly which tests you need...
Standard stuff like a CBC, differential, urine tests, iron levels, lipid panels, or liver enzymes—you get those through your primary doctor at a local clinic...
But hormone panels are usually handled by hospital labs... so you definitely need that specialist referral...
It’s annoying, honestly, but it varies from one hospital system to another. You don't want to be getting poked multiple times just to get your blood drawn, but... unfortunately, that's how the system works right now.
🤷

Melissa James70 said:You’ve actually had pretty thorough answers to all your questions right here in this thread. If you just scroll through a few posts... there's really no point in repeating ourselves; everyone has already laid out their arguments and shared their thoughts.

To be honest, I haven't seen a single direct answer that would actually help someone studying for this...
And if everything has already been said, we might as well just lock the thread...
All I'm seeing is people bickering with one another...
Maybe I'm missing something... but what kind of questions or answers are we even looking for here? What has our actual experience been like regarding this? Is this just a place to vent about hospitals and medical centers... or are we sharing positive stories? I'm curious to hear from whoever started this thread...

Arthur Wright3 said:Man, oh man... Smalic was basically hinting that it would be ridiculous for someone to spend all that time being poked and prodded and then suddenly want privacy right when they need to be seen. If you're looking for a place where you can actually feel comfortable, it should be with the doctor. I started this thread specifically to talk about interns!
not about how the conversation has drifted toward just being naked—forget that... I’ve had to strip down a few times myself (for military stuff and other checkups) and it didn't bother me, but honestly, I think I'd feel pretty awkward if a bunch of interns were the ones walking in...

I have a question for everyone here...
who are these interns supposed to learn from?
Don't we already expose our most private selves the moment we walk into a GP's office and strip down so they can listen to our lungs and chest? Does the doctor even ask permission for that?
Like when they check your blood pressure and you have to take off your shirt...
Or rolling up a sleeve for a blood draw...
And don't even get me started on the OBGYN... I mean, who are gynecologists supposed to learn from then?
I feel like by simply visiting a doctor, we're agreeing to show our private selves.
Why is it so easy for women to show off their chests or bikinis at the beach, but suddenly it becomes an issue at the doctor's office?😕
I really empathize with anyone who feels uncomfortable during a medical exam, but I truly believe the doctor's office is the one place where we should leave those hang-ups at the door. Plus, no decent doctor is going to get offended if you just tell them you're feeling uneasy...
And if you feel like a doctor has crossed a line, just say so. That's what I do.☕

Brenda Cooper3 said:Here we go. Bringing this topic back from the dead since cold season is officially upon us! 😁

My throat was killing me this morning, and by the end of the day, I was convinced the classic flu symptoms were moving in.
Thankfully, I managed to load up on garlic in the meantime.
Now, as evening rolls around, I’m settling in with some hot soup loaded with pepper.

It honestly seems like these remedies actually work. 🎉

That said, can anyone explain why my throat usually stings right when I wake up, but the second I take a sip of hot tea (or coffee), the pain vanishes?
Is it actually possible that the heat just flushes those nasty bacteria down into the esophagus?
Btw, I am a smoker.

It’s also totally possible that the liquid is just washing acid out of your mouth and esophagus... if your throat is constantly sore in the mornings (aside from the smoking), you might be dealing with acid reflux or something similar, so definitely check in with a doctor if that's the case...
As for the smoking... try to cut back at least... 👍

Ashley Rodriguez92 said:I’m really hoping someone can give me a straight answer to my question!

So, here’s the deal:
My last period wrapped up on November 30th.
Then, three days ago, I noticed some brown discharge, and by today, it’s turned reddish. It’s basically like having a period, but just in tiny amounts—enough that a single pad covers it. This spotting has been going on for three days now.
Is this something dangerous or what?!

Thanks to all the experts out there!!!😛

You haven't given us much to work with here....are you on any birth control? Also, when was the actual first day of your last period? That’s the part that matters, not when it ended...
It could be ovulation...it could be implantation if you're pregnant....and look, I don't want to freak you out, but maybe it’s just an early period or you caught a nasty cold.....maybe...maybe...maybe....

Emily Fisher26 said:No, no... you actually helped!🙂

I figured my primary care doctor wouldn't just prescribe something because a specialist suggested it. I was really trying to nail down that dynamic between a private specialist and an insurance-based GP.

That’s where things usually get messy. For instance, a friend of mine had a doctor at her local clinic who refused to even run basic swabs before she got pregnant. She ended up getting fed up with the treatment there and went to a private specialist instead. Once they found a bacterial infection and she came back with a prescription from the specialist, her regular doctor started giving her a hard time about it.🙄

Right now, my main concern after this gastroscopy is knowing whether my GP will give me grief if I need medication later. I’ve even heard stories where doctors won't recognize tests done elsewhere and insist you redo everything through their own network just to satisfy the paperwork! (I actually saw this happen once with a dermatologist.)

And let's be real—gastroscopies aren't exactly something you'd want to do "for fun" two or three times just to keep life interesting for ourselves and our doctors!😁

Unfortunately, a lot of it just comes down to what kind of person the doctor is as a human being...👎

Emily Fisher26 said:Look, I’ve been dealing with stomach issues for two and a half years now. I’ve seen two different primary care doctors—I had to switch them because I moved around a bit—and honestly, neither one would bother referring me to a specialist to actually find out what's going on. Now I’m back with a third doctor because I moved again!

Since things are just getting worse, I decided to pay for a full checkup through my employer's health plan at Sun, and of course, they finally gave me a referral for a gastroscopy this Thursday! My insurance covers the procedure itself, but I have to pay $100 for the lab work, plus another 100 for the bacteria test. That brings the total to $700. Just keep in mind, I’m currently unemployed, so I had to scrape together every penny to afford this by cutting back on everything else!
So now I'm wondering: if they prescribe some medication, do I have to buy everything out of pocket, or can I go back to my doctor to get it covered?
Because if it turns out to be treatment for H. pylori, we're talking about three different antibiotics!

Also, does anyone know how it works when you see a private gynecologist? Like, do you still need a prescription or a formal referral from your primary doctor???

Generally speaking, a primary care doctor will respect a specialist's findings regardless of whether you saw them privately or through your standard insurance provider. This means they should write you a prescription if an internist or gastroenterologist recommends it based on those gastroscopy results...
As for the OB-GYN situation... every patient has the right and the responsibility to choose their own primary providers—your GP, your dentist, and your gynecologist. In the US system, your regular doctor isn't usually the one issuing referrals for specialized hospital exams or anything following that. You essentially pick a gynecologist specifically so you *don't* have to keep seeing them for every little thing. But when a private doctor prescribes something, the rules shift a bit. Every doctor puts their own reputation on the line for the treatment they prescribe. Because of that, insurance companies aren't necessarily obligated to cover a prescription for something the doctor didn't personally diagnose. If the diagnosis is wrong, the buck stops with them. Personally, I think they should respect a colleague's opinion, but everyone's experience is different. Some doctors will write the script and some won't; it's ultimately their call and their liability. Though, technically, they can always note the specialist's code to show they're following someone else's lead...
Did I help clarify things, or did I just make it more confusing? 🤷

Lisa Davis4 said:So, here's what I'm wondering:
do girls need to be virgins before getting the shot?
🤷?

No, they don't....The main thing is just making sure they haven't already been exposed to the virus. Since it's passed through unprotected sex, a doctor would typically run a swab test to check for it first.
😁