Yes, it sounds like *Clostridium difficile*. If you’ve actually got that, you really ought to be prescribed an antibiotic specifically for it—so please, go see your primary care physician instead of just sticking with your OB-GYN.
Have you noticed any blood in your stool?
When you're dealing with antibiotics that heavy, you absolutely have to take a probiotic—and make sure you eat something before the pill, too. Honestly, having a little extra food in your stomach helps buffer everything so it doesn't completely wreck your GI tract. And if you happen to take it right before bed, you really should stay sitting up for about half an hour; better yet, try sleeping with your pillows propped up. Just go grab some probiotics immediately.
Regarding Clindamycin—I had to take it back when I was in dental school for a particularly nasty infection—I didn't experience any bleeding, but it certainly did a number on my system, shall we say? I generally have a very hard time tolerating antibiotics. The side effects I dealt with included hives, skin pain and sensitivity, photosensitivity, stomach and intestinal cramps, reflux, diarrhea, nausea, and general exhaustion—I spent the entire course of treatment basically bedridden. My silly doctor tried to insist on prescribing me a second round, but thank God my dentist stepped in and said it wasn't necessary before just pulling the tooth.
Arthur Moore8 said:ps. if we are looking at variables, they would likely be these: temperature—has an impact air pressure—has an impact cloud cover—very minimal impact comfort level—only if it hits you all at once; otherwise, not really wind direction—no impact at all
Personally, I find cloud cover causes far more issues than the temperature does—though, granted, I don't quite fit the profile here.🙂.
And what about humidity? Should we include that in the mix as well?
rapidstag70 said:Personally, I always feel like my mood just sinks right along with a cloudy sky... but you? You seem to be my complete polar opposite! I tend to be quite high-energy—always bouncing around, really—even when the weather is gray..
Even when things get gloomy here, it’s so unpredictable... I can never quite pin it down 😁. I haven't fully wrapped my head around why it happens, but usually, it's just a dull ache if it stays overcast and monotonous all day long. However, when there's a sudden shift—you know, when a storm starts "brewing" or building up tension in the air—then...🎉 🙂 😂 🤣 🙂 well 🙂 ☕ 🙂 ...and so on.
I find the whole thing rather fascinating, though I don't have much spare time to dive deep into it myself—but if I happen to stumble upon something interesting, I'll certainly send some links your way. Regarding this sensitivity to weather, there isn't a massive amount of literature specifically on "meteoropathy," but if you search for "seasonal affective disorder," you'll find plenty of compelling information—even if it isn't an exact match for what you're looking for.
rapidstag70 said:There's this 20-year-old guy who gets incredibly irritable right before a seizure—especially when the weather shifts—and he always seems to have an episode following any major argument or period of intense emotional calming down... could that just be a coincidence?
Oh, my apologies! I didn't realize you had a live subject for study here. It is such a fascinating topic; if he’s willing to participate, you should absolutely go for it. And honestly, it’s likely not a coincidence at all—certain individuals are just far more sensitive to atmospheric changes. You probably won't need to reinvent the wheel, though; there are likely plenty of existing studies on this, so perhaps do a little digging online if you don't have access to academic journals. Isn't it quite extraordinary how much our bodies can react simply due to barometric pressure and such? (I am certainly no expert on the matter, so please do email me your findings once you've finished the paper🙂... just kidding!)
Now, I don't have epilepsy myself—just a mild mood disorder—but I am also what one might call a "weather person." This means it isn't merely psychological for me (the irritability, the hyperactivity, the occasional bouts of euphoria or depression, and that frequent lack of focus...) but I actually experience physical symptoms tied to these bio-meteorological shifts too—joint pain, general fatigue, excessive thirst... and believe me, even a clean diet and regular exercise barely touch the surface of it. Before a storm hits—particularly a heavy downpour—I undergo these intense mood swings where I become completely hyperactive; I feel this overwhelming, desperate *need* to dance, jump, run, clean, cook—anything just to avoid sitting still! The absolute worst part is being stuck in a lecture hall, where I end up just sulking, rolling my eyes, and tapping my foot incessantly under the desk. Then comes the period of winding down, or sometimes even weeping (which I save for home, of course; I haven't quite lost my composure at the university yet, though I know I could easily have a little cry in a fitting room if my mother were trying to pressure me into something...). The most difficult transitions for me are when the weather turns from beautiful to grim, moving from stability to instability—rain, overcast skies (especially when it's so gray that the sun feels entirely lost to us)... 😢 😁 Generally speaking, I am a highly reactive person, and my defense mechanisms are quite pronounced. (Though, when I look at what others endure, I realize my struggles aren't the worst; there are people dealing with truly harrowing symptoms.)
In principle, after stressful situations that a particular individual might find particularly difficult to "digest," it is very common to see an exacerbation—that is to say, a much more intense manifestation—of their symptoms.
Perhaps you might consider putting together something on "personality disorders..."—you know, perhaps something along the lines of "psychiatric disorders and their relationship to biometeorological conditions"? I must ask—what exactly is your field of study?
Has anyone actually sat down to watch this yet? (I haven't had the chance quite yet—my schedule has been a bit of a whirlwind lately!) Any thoughts or initial impressions out there?
It typically kicks in right around ovulation and just keeps going from there. Honestly, everything is almost certainly fine—like, 99.99% fine—so please, try not to stress! It probably isn't some grand, mysterious set of "symptoms" (you know... the dreaded sssssssymptoooooommmms). It sounds more like cyclical mastalgia. Perhaps your hormones are acting a little finicky, or maybe there are some small cysts involved? But it doesn't have to be anything serious. For instance, I don't deal with this at all, yet I still feel a bit of discomfort starting from ovulation onwards—it is truly remarkable how such a tiny sensation can actually hurt so much, isn't it? 😢
It looks something like 😉: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu...reast/pain.cfm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_pain
Megan Reed said:that’s basically what happens when you toss raw meat into a blender and pour it straight into a bottle—it’s essentially a >> meat shake. 🤣
I mean, I was at the local Stop & Shop the other day, and they actually had these hot dogs in glass bottles... yeah, bottled.😂 😁
I truly struggle to see why avoiding contact is even necessary here. If your husband doesn't suffer from an actual allergy to dog hair—which, of course, could lead to breathing difficulties—then the dog shouldn't be a source of trouble at all. Please, don't go "getting rid" of him—though, if you ask me, you should probably focus more on "getting rid" of those guests who might visit your husband and decide to light up a cigarette right in front of him or engage in rather inappropriate conversations; honestly, stress, lifestyle, and diet will likely pose much larger threats than a pet. Let him have his joys, which surely include that dog. Simply petting the animal and having its company will do wonders for his mental state and bring a bit of life back into the house—and perhaps you’ll find yourselves able to relax a little more too, knowing he isn't so isolated.
That being said—and I do mean this with caution—if the dog is frequently urinating and your husband is currently feeling quite weak, just ensure he doesn't inhale any stray droplets, and make sure the dog isn't licking his face; he certainly doesn't need to deal with respiratory infections on top of everything else. Now, I am by no means an expert when it comes to animals, but if you are genuinely worried, perhaps it would be wise to give him a good bath and take him to the vet for a quick checkup? It might be worth seeing if he needs an antibiotic or some other preventative measure before your husband returns home.
Megan Alvarez70 said:Can anyone tell me how you actually treat this stupid HPV? I’ve already come down with it—I mean, should I still get vaccinated just to get rid of it? Help!🤷 🤷 😲
Exactly—the vaccine isn't going to do much once you've already caught it. Though... I'm not entirely certain, but I think I heard a doctor mention on the radio that you might still get vaccinated to protect against the other types of HPV. Of course, if the virus is already there, it won't help with that specific strain.
First and foremost, you really have to focus on boosting your immune system and staying on top of your checkups. There are some girls here talking about what they used to manage it (though there are probably more threads out there, so maybe try using the search bar?):
You can find plenty of advice regarding herbal teas and similar remedies right here —I would suggest poking around the health sections and the women’s wellness boards as well; I believe there were several similar discussions, and they will likely link you to them.
First and foremost—and this is truly vital—you really ought to minimize or altogether avoid simple carbohydrates. Specifically, I am talking about refined ones, such as white flour and processed sugar... honestly, that stuff is absolute junk food. Avoiding "the whites," so to speak, is going to benefit you regardless of whether you have PCOS or not. Instead, try to focus on whole grains—complex, slow-burning carbohydrates. And, if you don't mind me adding, it wouldn't hurt to purge your diet of unhealthy fats (think hydrogenated oils, deep-fried foods, etc.) and unnecessary additives.
Go ahead and check out this link from jadesailor14—there is honestly a wealth of information there. Most people tend to put together their own custom combinations, though you’ll certainly have to do quite a bit of reading first to figure out a dietary regimen that actually works for you—considering your budget, what's available at the local grocery store, the patient's specific preferences, and, of course, their actual medical condition.
As far as specific diets go, I personally find the Budwig approach to be superior (you can even pick up a book by Johanne Budwig if you want to dive deeper). It incorporates many of those healthy elements found in the Breuss method, but adds in a combination of flaxseed oil and low-fat cottage cheese. The beauty of it is that it can be applied regardless of one's health status and isn't restricted to a specific timeframe. On the other hand, the Breuss method is extremely radical—in some instances, it could even be considered dangerous. It shouldn't be followed for more than six weeks, and since it's so low in protein, there's a real risk of a patient suffering from severe malnutrition. While many people have indeed recovered using the Breuss way, it certainly has its pitfalls; for instance, it absolutely should not be used alongside chemotherapy—meaning, you'd only consider Breuss if you've moved past active treatment... which is quite different from how you'd handle the Budwig diet.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to talk my stubborn old man into trying the Budwig diet. So, here I am, staring at a bottle of flaxseed oil sitting in my fridge that has already passed its expiration date.
Ethan Kelly4 said:I’ve actually been dealing with the exact same issues—though, if I’m being honest, my main struggle was training myself to breathe through my nose instead of my mouth. It was quite an arduous process, truly, but looking back, the effort was absolutely worth it...
How did you actually manage to pull that off? Did you follow some specific breathing exercises, or was it just a matter of sheer willpower? For me, even just thirty seconds of movement makes nasal breathing feel incredibly exhausting—and don't even get me started on when I'm resting! Even then, it isn't much easier; the air just feels so thin, as if barely any is getting through. I suspect it might be a deviated septum, given how common that is in my family...
I also seem to deal with constant congestion all year round, which leads to this persistent coughing—not to mention my struggles with seasonal allergies...
wanderingraven9 said:I am certainly grateful—thank God—that she had a skilled gynecologist who caught everything in time; however, when it comes to fighting HPV, which leads to cancer, Vitamin C just isn't the magic fix. I wish people would grasp that. Otherwise, my mother would be constantly nagging me about eating more fruit instead of actually looking into the vaccine...
(My apologies! I didn't realize you were a woman, so I initially used double forms, though I worried that might come across as a bit much🙂.) But look, I know—any sensible person should realize that matters are far more complex than just tossing in some Vitamin C. Yet, it seems people take the "sensational discovery" of Gardasil for granted, primarily because it's presented as an absolute win with zero downsides. I haven't done a deep dive myself, but I highly doubt that, say, Merck & Co.'s own websites or those of various pharmaceutical lobbies, mention any significant side effects. Now, I'm not a conspiracy theorist or someone hunting for sensationalism, but isn't it quite likely that money is the driving force here? It’s not just the big pharma companies—it's also the government, which stands to save a fortune by offloading other healthcare burdens through this vaccine. My concern is that many will end up paying a high price simply because we don't know enough yet, or perhaps because they haven't been properly informed, or even because there might be contraindications that no one would ever suspect could cause issues after receiving Gardasil. Is it really too early to be this enthusiastic about the medication? We can only try... and then wait. After all, aren't we part of the experiment? Which is, of course, a positive thing for future generations and the advancement of medicine—but in the meantime, shouldn't we be looking out for ourselves? At the very least, we ought to.
Amy Hill92 said:Dexedrine can be quite the little troublemaker when it comes to sleep—and let’s not even get started on the mood swings! It really can throw your whole equilibrium off balance, can't it? So, if you find yourself staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night, I’d highly recommend packing a good book and perhaps an old-school Walkman just to keep your mind occupied. A little distraction goes a long way, don't you think?
Insomnia and these constant mood swings—well, they’ve been playing havoc with my constitution lately, to be honest—so, I suppose I am bringing my laptop along.😂 I mean—seriously. Is there any other way to put it? Truly.
Oh, thank you ever so much for this—honestly, I was just starting to think that nobody would bother to get back to me! I think I’ll give them a call first thing tomorrow morning; there is really no sense in sitting around waiting if they happened to make a mistake on their end, is there? By the way—and please forgive my lack of expertise here—I don't believe I have ever even heard of vanillamandelic acid before... I suppose I am not quite the scholar I'd like to be! 😵 😁 ).
Is there anything quite as overwhelming—and frankly, as massive—as navigating the sprawling corridors of a major metropolitan hospital system? I was recently thinking about the sheer scale of an institution like Mayo Clinic, and it got me wondering... does anyone else feel that specific sense of vertigo when walking through those endless, sterile hallways? It’s a bit much, isn't it? One moment you're looking for a simple outpatient clinic, and the next, you've somehow wandered halfway into a different zip code!
Well, here I am, being harassed by bureaucracy again.
1. I finally found a spare moment to schedule my hospital appointment (specifically for a dexamethasone suppression test and an OGTT)—and get this—my endocrinologist said absolutely nothing, nor did my primary care doctor. When I first called the clinic to book, there was no mention of prep work; then today, when I called to confirm I’d be coming in tomorrow, the receptionist just goes: ''Are you on the required diet?'' Me? I'm like: ''What diet? No one mentioned anything about a diet...'' And she responds: ''Well, you aren't allowed to eat fresh fruit, coffee, cocoa, tea, or pastries for a week—which means no vanilla in any baked goods either.'' Now, sensing the sheer irritation in her tone, I didn't want to push for a full explanation, but I did ask about sugar and refined carbohydrates in general (I was genuinely confused because she didn't say "no sweets," she specifically singled out fruit and pastries because they contain vanilla), and she just went: ''Sugar is fine, just no pastries... blah blah blah... vanilla.'' Honestly... I don't find it particularly difficult to give up pastries and coffee since I don't really consume them anyway (though I did shed a tear over the thought of losing fruit!), but the logic escapes me...
...Why specifically fruit and vanilla? I mean, what on earth? It makes zero sense to me, so if anyone could explain why vanilla plays such a role or which specific components in fruit are problematic, I would be eternally grateful. I had absolutely no idea there was a mandatory seven-day dietary restriction prior to the dexamethasone test—I thought the only thing to watch out for was medications, diuretics, and things of that nature. I mean... vanilla?😂 I even called a friend who's in her sixth year of medical school, and even she was completely stumped. Did they perhaps make a mistake? Or are they just pulling my leg? Should I call them back? (Classes are starting soon and I really needed to get these tests out of the way, but now I have to wait another entire week.)
2. Also: I don't actually consume much glucose myself (aside from what's in the fresh fruit I'm now forbidden from eating)—is it a bad idea if my glucose intake is low right before the OGTT? (I think I heard somewhere that avoiding glucose entirely for several days leading up to the actual test isn't recommended?)
3. And... I assume menstrual blood in the urine interferes with cortisol testing??
wanderingraven9 said:😲 😲 😲 😲 So, essentially, the gynecologist actually screwed my mother over when they removed her entire uterus because of cervical cancer... just a totally incompetent doctor. 😵 😵 As if she really just needed to get more sleep and eat a bit more fruit and vegetables... it's truly that simple, isn't it? It makes me wonder—honestly, I find myself questioning—why they even performed the surgery in the first place? And why, even after all these years, she is still struggling to recover mentally from the whole ordeal? It’s just quite foolish...
It might sound trivial, but this girl is actually right when she claims the immune system is the real key here. Many of us have sat by and watched a loved one suffer through cancer, but you know full well that we can't just vaccinate ourselves against everything—there simply isn't a miracle cure or some universal fix out there... at least nothing quite like Gardasil. Besides, you can never be entirely certain that your mother wouldn't have developed cancer regardless of whether she had the Gardasil shot or not. I’m not suggesting we should just surrender to fatalism and stop taking vaccines altogether, but let's be realistic: we cannot fight every single disease or pathogen, whether those triggers are intrinsic or extrinsic. If the system is compromised for any reason, it will find a weak spot, no matter how much we struggle against it. No one "screwed" your mother over—at least not the surgeon. Honestly, just be grateful she's still with you; nobody did her wrong here.
Jamie Cox29 said:I’ve recently taken up hiking—which is wonderful, truly—and I know how vital it is to breathe through your nose to ensure the air is filtered and warmed before it hits the lungs. However, I am plagued by nasal issues; whenever I get congested, attempting to breathe through my nose causes this intense, stinging sensation, and frankly, I just can't seem to pull in enough oxygen. It seems one nostril is perpetually blocked—perhaps due to swollen sinuses, though I couldn't say for certain. What should I do about this?
It sounds like a deviated septum. (And believe me, I understand—whenever the temperature drops, I find myself forced to mouth-breathe during my jogs; I can only really rely on nasal breathing when I am in a state of absolute repose.) If it’s causing you this much distress, you really ought to consult a doctor.
Come on, everyone—let’s dial back the insults, shall we? This vaccine is undeniably controversial, isn't it? It hasn't even been out long enough since its launch, so anyone opting in is essentially acting as a bit of a guinea pig. And Merck & Co. has been campaigning to make the HPV vaccine mandatory, even though—quite frankly—they still don't seem to know exactly how much time should pass between two doses. Now, perhaps an average organism would be perfectly fine, but I certainly wouldn't be taking my daughter to get vaccinated if she had any underlying immunity issues—that is to say, if her system was compromised in any way at all. Yet, they push for it to be mandatory! Honestly, just stay vigilant, people; let's not let this go to waste, as there is nothing but mindless squawking happening here.
Correction: It wasn't just one death recorded, but three. Specifically, one case of myocarditis and two involving blood clots. Interestingly, two of those three deaths (the clots) occurred in individuals who were already on birth control pills—which might be a significant factor, given that pills can promote clotting—but then again, would those clots have formed if they hadn't also received the vaccine? The third individual had the flu. It isn't 100% certain whether myocarditis would have occurred regardless of the administration of Gardasil.
While drug maker Merck & Co. has been campaigning to make the HPV vaccine mandatory for all young girls, documents show that serious side effects and deaths have been associated with the vaccine. Three deaths related to the vaccine were reported.
Of the 1,637 adverse-event reports, 136 have been deemed serious by the FDA, ranging from seizures to Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare life-threatening disorder in which the immune system attacks nerves and induces paralysis. Eighteen women who received the vaccine while pregnant experienced complications, ranging from miscarriages to fetal abnormalities, according to new FDA data. Merck has distributed more than five million doses of Gardasil in the U.S. since its introduction in June 2006...
Analysts estimated that Merck could make $2-$4 billion off the sales of Gardasil. Over 2 million HPV vaccines have been administered across the U.S.
I really need to hit that 9 or 9.5 mark—maybe an 8 if I’m feeling lucky, I suppose? Anything 7 or lower, and things get... complicated. I’m talking muscle and joint aches, nausea, constant thirst, feeling overheated, and that relentless stomach acid—it’s quite unpleasant. There’s also polyuria, which isn't exactly extreme, but certainly enough to be irritating, don't you think? My cognitive function and concentration? Well, they’re practically buried two miles underground at that point. Then there’s the irritability, the lethargy, and those sporadic bouts of (hypo)mania—honestly, it’s enough to make one shudder! I feel like a sensitive little mimosa plant; I just have to constantly fidget and move. But the absolute worst part? It’s when those total freaks—you know the type, people who think getting two or three hours of sleep is plenty—start looking at me like I'm some sort of shut-in retiree.