Posts by boldnomad45

Angela Wright said:Look, family doctors are frequently out doing home visits before or after their scheduled clinic hours. On top of actually practicing medicine, they have to wade through the bureaucratic nonsense imposed by the system. All of this friction eventually bleeds into the quality of care, and most of the time, the doctors are the least responsible party for that decline. In my own family, we have a relative with a broken leg who hasn't been able to get to a specialist for years because the system is such a labyrinth, not to mention the sheer amount of stress they deal with daily.
You can file a grievance via the Medicare hotline if something is bothering you. You can find the info on the Medicare website.
You’ll likely just end up making life difficult for the doctors, even though they are probably the ones least at fault for your dissatisfaction with the service.

My GP is the exact opposite of what was described above. It is possible. She’s young, granted, but she doesn't cut corners like some of the more seasoned ones.
Bottom line: if it’s not working for you, just find another doctor.

I dealt with a nasty case of heatstroke a long time ago. Honestly, it was worse than what you're going through—the dizziness, the loss of balance... I couldn't even keep my eyes closed or open. Everything was just dark, disorienting, and full of strange flashes of light.
It was miserable. It took about two months to fully recover, and I ended up in the ER a few times.
It hasn't happened again since. I remember they kept saying my potassium levels were low, so they were constantly pumping me full of IV fluids and supplements.

melloworca6 said:Oh, Angela Wright, it’s not that they aren't capable; it's just that they don't care. They don't want to deal with waiting at the family doctor or walking through all the tests like everyone else, so they just head straight to the ER. They force them to run every single test at once, and they get everything done immediately, including the results.
I recently heard a story from a distant relative—he overindulged on some burgers and cold fruit, felt sick, had a little nausea and diarrhea, so he went to the ER. They did everything for him right then and there, even a gastroscopy. Everything came back perfect. A few days later, he’s back because he has this chest tightness and a racing pulse (they did the gastroscopy, so of course his throat is sore, and his pulse was fast because he was sprinting up and down the stairs). Again, they ran all the tests, everything was fine, and he actually managed to manipulate the system to get an urgent referral to a cardiologist, even though his EKG was normal. He'll see the specialist in a week, while regular people wait one or two months, if they're lucky. 🙏 Honestly, screw that. They should charge them for such nonsense so they can go bother someone else. One trip for something stupid and they'd never go back.

Of course, if you have unbearable pain, you're vomiting twenty times, or running a 104 fever, you go to the ER. But if you just have a sore throat, a slight fever, or had diarrhea three times in 24 hours, you have to be somewhat rational to realize it isn't an emergency. Not to mention how these types are the first to cause a scene when they or someone they know has to wait somewhere (including waiting months for scans or check-ups), yet they create useless crowds in places they don't belong.

From what I know about doctors and what I hear from the staff, forget it—if I were in their shoes, I'd start charging for half of this. We have public healthcare, so when you actually need something, you either wait like an idiot or pay for private care specifically because of people like this. I spent three months trying to schedule a follow-up with my immunologist because I couldn't get an appointment. At the check-up, she told me point-blank that fifty percent of her patients that day shouldn't have been there; they were sent unnecessarily because their primary care doctors just dump them wherever they want. So, people like me, who actually need the follow-up and are legitimate patients, end up waiting months for appointments while others skip the line.

Well, doctors advise their own that way; they arrange surgeries out of turn and tell them to go to the ER to get their labs done quickly.
You can't bring order to people with connections. People whine about how the system is failing, but when you try to impose order on the web of nepotism that even medical professionals use, they just find a loophole. I know firsthand that everyone uses connections for any kind of surgery; nobody ever waits in line, and they're advised to hit the ER just to get results faster. That's the kind of society we have. We don't want order. We don't care about anyone but ourselves—and obviously, other people's money. That's why our country is broke. Corruption goes from the top all the way down; the higher-ups steal millions, while the low-level guys are just stealing toilet paper. ☕ The society is uneducated.

Timothy Fowler said:I'm not going. I reached out to someone through a forum about therapy, but they were strictly looking for people in Los Angeles, and I'm all the way in Seattle. I don't have the money for private sessions, and if I go through state assistance, I'll just be stuck with some mediocre psychologist who’s just punching a clock. I've lost my faith in psychologists altogether after getting burned once. Imagine a professional spending months scribbling nonsense in notebooks while the four of us kids came in to "confess" our troubles, only for her to end up having to transcribe those messy notes just to make them legible for a court case. And this was supposed to be a center for abused children, lol. I really don't need a repeat of that. I don't trust anyone anymore; they're all just actors.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about state-funded programs—I haven't had any experience there. If you have the money, private therapy is definitely the way to go. Otherwise, maybe look into group sessions, something through the unemployment office, or even church assistance if you're religious. I don't know.
I don't know what field you're in, but think about pursuing something in high demand—like software engineering, nursing, or caregiving. Learn German or Norwegian. You'd likely find work abroad and actually be able to live like a human being. There's nothing holding you here.

Timothy Fowler said:I don't even know how to put this into words, but whenever he shows up in my life—whether it’s through some third party asking about me or those birthday gifts that show up via FedEx instead of him actually being there in person—it’s like I lose all sense of who I am. I instantly turn into some wide-eyed seven-year-old girl, just desperate for a father figure and a hug and whatever else it is kids crave from their dads. It’s pathetic, really, because I never actually had that growing up.🙄 It sounds childish, I know, but it happens every single time. It doesn't matter that I'm 30 years old now. It takes me weeks to recover because that "void"—that constant craving—just lingers far too long. It’s been happening my entire life.

It’s funny how it works—every single one of my relationships eventually spirals into this exact same pattern: I go after men who are completely out of reach. At first, it feels like a damn fairy tale. They treat me like royalty, everything is perfect, and I’m flying high. But then, without fail, they morph into carbon copies of my father. Suddenly, it’s all the same old games—the cold shoulder, the constant stalling, the feeling of being ignored. And what do I do? I just work harder. I convince myself that if I can just be "perfect" enough this time around, he’ll finally be proud of me. He’ll actually make time for me. It’s an endless loop of trying to earn attention that isn't coming. I’ve got this complex, and honestly, I know it. 🤔

Are you going to therapy? I'm in a similar boat. In everyone I date, I'm looking for a mother—for protection and support. But my relationship with my own mother was filled with destructive arguments and fights, all because I'm still chasing this idealized version of a family and a mother that simply doesn't exist.
Like you, my rational side tells me I'm too old for this, that I need to grow up, but emotionally, there's no easy fix.
I really need help from a therapist to sort this out once and for all, to learn how to love that inner child, but I can't afford therapy right now. Besides, with so many practitioners out there, I honestly don't know who to trust.
There it is.

Lisa Robinson3 said:Just do it. Cut out the emotions, treat him like some random stranger passing through, and just keep pushing forward like you always have... I really hope things start looking up for you. You've dealt with more than anyone should have to. Respect.

Exactly. And for your own sake, I think it’s vital that you tell him everything you wrote here. He doesn't matter—his reaction doesn't matter. What matters is saying what needs to be said so you can get it off your chest and move on.

Betty Edwards22 said:That’s my point—that's why they use rhinoscopy and endoscopy.
How on earth is a standard X-ray supposed to show cartilage deformation?

Clearly, we're on different pages. I assumed it was just a quick checkup—doctor looks at you, checks your nasal passages, hands you a prescription for some spray, and sends you on your way.

Hannah Booth2 said:Did the surgery help? And where did you have it done?

Mayo Clinic. And yeah, it's the only thing that actually works.

I think you're handling this fine. You’re terrified, and the stress levels are through the roof, but honestly? Anyone else in your shoes would be dealing with the same insomnia, the sweating, all of it. It's a rational reaction.
The fear hit you hard, and it hasn't let go.
There isn't a magic fix—nobody has one. I actually just saw a psychiatrist recently for my own anxiety. I spoke with a brilliant woman there who has been through exactly what you're navigating right now. Regarding her tumor, she's doing okay, but she's struggling with PTSD. She lives in constant terror and anxiety. She's hesitant about inpatient rehab because she's so scared, so she keeps searching for answers through seminars, prayer, group therapy... anything. But she's considering residential care because the fear is becoming unmanageable. She can't just move on with life when she has kids and responsibilities to handle; the idle chatter from people just grates on her nerves. She wants to scream at everyone: "Do you realize how fragile life is? We could be gone today." It’s impossible to just go back to business as usual after staring death in the face.
Talk to a psychologist, lean on your inner circle, and prioritize self-care.

Hannah Booth2 said:Back when I lived in Cleveland, I saw a specialist who told me one nostril was larger and slightly damaged while the other was smaller. He prescribed some Aqua Maris and mentioned surgery might be an option down the line. I didn't really grasp the gravity of it back then; it was ages ago. Now, at the Mayo Clinic, they’re saying everything looks fine and just gave me some drops.

One side is smaller for me too. When I went in for imaging, they picked up a sinus deformity, so I ended up going under the knife.

Betty Edwards22 said:If they miss a deviation during the initial physical exam, I'm at a loss.
Getting imaging done just for that is a complete waste of time.

What’s your logic there? You think a doctor can just glance at you and decide if there's a deviation or not?

Betty Edwards22 said:There’s no point in getting an sinus X-ray. It won't tell you anything. A scan can show if there's a deviated septum, but a CT is only ordered when a specialist actually deems it necessary.

There are various reasons why someone might snore, and we need to look at the whole picture before jumping to conclusions.

The scan showed a deviated septum. They’ve already scheduled me for surgery.

Hannah Booth2 said:Hi everyone. I’ve been digging through this thread. Regarding my breathing, my nose seems fine, though one nostril is slightly more congested than the other—just a structural thing, I guess. My main issue now is snoring, and I have no clue what's causing it. I already went for an exam at the Mayo Clinic; my GP gave me a referral, and they basically told me my nasal passages are clear enough. They just prescribed some drops and called it a day. Still, the snoring persists, and honestly, I’m tired of the runaround. Going back to the GP, then back to Mayo, just to hear the same thing... it feels pointless. The thing is, I have a bump and my nose is crooked, so maybe it's better to fix everything at once. However, I don't have the cash for a private specialist right now. Is it even possible to get this handled at a hospital? Like, can you just call the billing department and request a rhinoplasty for both aesthetic reasons and breathing issues, and they charge you something like $1667 (just guessing here)? Presumably less than a private clinic. Can you actually request surgery at a hospital without their initial recommendation?

Did you go to your appointment with sinus imaging results in hand?

Michelle Carter52 said:Was the whole thing with the bruising intense? How long did it take before you didn't look like you'd been in a street fight? 😁 I’m hoping my bruises don't last more than two weeks, at least until they turn yellow. Heh.

The worst part for me is my phobia of needles—or needles in veins. I have no idea how I'll handle this. Every time I go for blood work, I start shaking and turning pale. Now I know they need to insert a catheter, and I'm dreading seeing how that goes. Haha.

Five days is plenty for sinus issues. It's barely noticeable—maybe a slightly swollen nose, but I'm not sure how much visible bruising usually comes from cosmetic surgery.
They give you a sedative. You won't feel a thing; you'll be asleep before you even realize what's happening.

Michelle Carter52 said:I mentioned that I don't mind the tip of my nose because I actually like how it looks, so my main goal is just straightening the overall shape. If you don't mind me asking, could you go into more detail about the surgery? How long was the recovery, and how many days did you have to stay in the hospital? Thanks so much. 😁

I stayed in the hospital for five days. Had the procedure on a Monday, and they take pretty good care of you, so it was fine. They took the splints out on Friday, then I was back home.

Michelle Carter52 said:Hi there,
I just got scheduled for nose surgery in 9 months with Dr. Ožegovica at the Mayo Clinic in Cleveland.
It's for a deviated septum and some cosmetic work.

I'm wondering if anyone here has had similar experiences with this doctor. All I've managed to find online is general praise, but if anyone actually has a personal story—or even just something you've heard about his work—could you let me know?

Thanks much. 🙂

Briefly: he's professional, did a solid job on my surgery. I actually had to go to a private specialist recently to fix a turbinate issue, and things are much better now.
Five stars for Ožegovica.

I'm on Adderall. Everything seems fine, but I’ve noticed my skin suddenly breaking out—something I’ve never dealt with before. To be fair, work has been incredibly stressful lately, and I’ve started working out more, so I’m sweating a lot. Could there be a connection to the AD? Is it possible my liver just can't process everything fast enough, causing breakouts?

Mark Garcia82 said:Maybe it worked for you, but there are plenty of people who weren't satisfied either.
Here is the link: http://hr.sci.med.narkive.com/08Knrf...uma-glavobolja

It’s the same story for everyone. I went through every hospital—from local clinics to major centers like Mayo Clinic or Mount Sinai. They even sent me for CT scans. Eventually, a doctor at one of the big hospitals told me there was nothing left to do, that I’d just have to live with this pain forever. Then Klapan helped me. Everything he said turned out to be true. Honestly, I didn't trust him at first; I’d already been through private specialists who just wanted to drain my bank account. But I figured, fine, let's try one more thing just so I know I've exhausted all options. I was desperate. And exactly as he predicted, a minor procedure changed my life. I thought he was lying because my issues were chronic; I was convinced it would take years of treatment to see any relief, if that even happened. It turns out a simple, quick procedure changed everything. He was right about every single detail. It still feels surreal.

Mark Garcia82 said:I also need to undergo a septoplasty.
I live in the Northwest corner of Canada, and the doctor who examined me and gave me the diagnosis recommended I go somewhere in the States, because here in Bihać
they lack both the facilities and the specialists to handle it, since my case is quite complicated. Dr. Esad Avdagic used to work here, but he eventually worked at
salad and holy spirit, then retired and moved to Canada.
Everyone told me he was an excellent specialist.
When Googling where to go, most search results pointed toward Dr. Ivica Klapan. I sent an email to his clinic detailing my entire situation.
The response I got was that the doctor couldn't give me an answer until he examined me in person.
Fine, I scheduled the appointment. I didn't even ask about the consultation fee because I saw online they range from $200-$117.
I went to the appointment and repeated everything I had written in the email.
He took notes, poked my nose with some forceps for two seconds, and then spent maybe 30 or 40 seconds looking around with a camera. While he was typing, I asked him about Dr. Avdagic, because I’d heard that when he visits the States, he does some freelance work with him.
"Oh, Esad? He's a great friend. Now that he's in Canada, we just talk via Skype," he said, before looking at me and adding, "Skype—you know, that thing where you look at each other through the computer and talk."
I just stared at him. I wanted to tell him that just because I'm from Canada doesn't mean I'm living in the Middle Ages and don't know what Skype is. I told myself right then that there was no way I was getting surgery done there.
At that moment, he starts talking about the price. He tells me that for people in my area, it's just a basic procedure,
but they need to use a laser to widen the nostril that's constricted. Apparently, it's a simple 20-minute operation. He said the nurse would provide the price and all the details once I walked out.
And sure enough, when I stepped out, the nurse grabbed a folder, found that my "basic procedure" would cost $15 $0.00 plus $233 for a pre-op physical. Fine, I said, I'll think about it, let me pay for this today.
The second nurse sitting at the desk said $217 but wouldn't even look me in the eye; she was basically talking to herself. I paid the bill and left.
Judge the cost for yourselves. He didn't tell me anything new; I had already described the diagnosis
in my email. The actual exam lasted no more than five or six minutes; the rest was just filler to make it seem like the 30-minute appointment actually happened.
After that, I headed over to a clinic in Chicago and scheduled the surgery there.
$2167 The surgery costs this much, and I already paid for the exam $77.
Surgery is scheduled with Dr. Marjanovica.

He charged me the same way, but he actually helped me, and I feel reborn. To me, he's worth every penny.

John Baker said:Parenting is treated like some universal constant that nobody dares to question. People just have kids because that's how the world works. Honestly, how many people can actually give a meaningful answer to why they have children? Most excuses boil down to vague abstractions like "I love kids" (though they usually mean *their* kids), the basic biological urge, or even the ego trip of trying to achieve immortality through genetics...🙄
When you express a negative view to someone with kids, you aren't just sharing an opinion; you're essentially invalidating every sacrifice they've ever made and attacking their core values. People hate that.
I hear these predictable phrases from parents all the time: "Just wait until it's your turn," "You'll see," or "Enjoy your freedom while it lasts." It’s incredibly negative. They rarely talk about how beautiful it actually is.😛
My take? There's definitely a heavy dose of envy toward the freedom people have when they don't carry those responsibilities.
On top of that, there's this constant emphasis on martyrdom. You get lines like, "I sacrificed everything for you," which is just pure manipulation used to demand repayment for a choice they made.
There is so much toxicity baked into the whole concept that I find it impossible to view parenting as anything inherently beautiful.

I have zero desire for children. My partner is more than enough for me. To me, a child would be an optional addition to an existing relationship, not some essential component without which the relationship couldn't function.
I'm certain my partnership would suffer if we went down that road. For us, it's just the two of us plus a cat or a dog, and I'm perfectly happy.😬

Spot on. Personally, I feel like I burned out during my own upbringing. I was never really a kid; I was always the overresponsible one, essentially acting as a parent to my own parents. I simply don't have the capacity left to provide everything a child needs while simultaneously fighting for my own existence, health, and happiness. I know it isn't sustainable, so we won't have kids. We both had similar experiences growing up. But yes, when people with children take our choice as a personal insult, they can be incredibly rude. Honestly, repulsive.