I have to admit—I actually found myself glancing around a few times just to see if anyone else had hair quite like yours! 🤣
By the way, even though I don't typically listen to punk, I was genuinely impressed by the band—what a pleasant surprise! 👍 In fact, even though I was standing a bit further back, I ended up pushing my way to the front when they started playing if the kids are united. 😍 My only real gripe? It felt a little silly that the frontman couldn't resist taking a jab at Green Day. 🤷 And I feel terrible that we didn't grab a bite at Slobodan Milošević's place; we stuffed ourselves at that greasy diner in the mall, so we were far too full! 😠 And honestly, their portions are huge and smell absolutely delicious. 🙂
jadestag11 said:Could anyone recommend a gynecologist in the western part of Chicago (Trešnjevka, Prečko, Malešnica, Španjsko...)? Basically, I'm currently seeing Dr. Bokic in Prečko and she’s wonderful—but I have to wait about two months just for an exam. Since I’m planning on having a baby soon, that doesn't seem like the most ideal setup! Thanks!
If you're looking for someone covered by Medicare, honestly, it's a bit of a struggle. 👎 There are already a few threads over in the Women's Health section discussing gynecologists—both private practice and those covered by insurance. I suspect you'll be facing a wait of at least a month regardless of who you choose. There is one doctor in the Španjsko area—I believe his name is Čolak—where you pay a fee (though it's less than private specialists), which helps you get seen sooner and speeds things along; however, I've heard quite a few negative things about him because he can be rather rude—apparently making inappropriate comments to young women regarding their appearance and such. Personally? I wouldn't go near him even if my life depended on it! Instead of seeing him, I signed up with Dr. Racko over on Runjaninova, though the wait there can stretch to four months—so I usually just opt for private doctors, using my insurance referrals whenever I can to squeeze through somehow. Just in case, maybe ask in the Women's Health thread, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a miracle. Most of them are somewhat overworked, and compared to others, Dr. Bokic sounds like a great find if you're happy with her. If I were in your shoes—and since you mentioned you actually like her—I would probably stick with your current doctor and just make sure to book your appointments well in advance. Or, if it's within your means, perhaps see a private specialist for the quick check-ups, while still using your primary doctor's referrals for any major tests or labs, wouldn't that be the best way to save some money?
I have been buying essential oils for quite some time now—I’ve experimented with various brands, though I can't recall every single manufacturer—but I vividly remember that across the board, even with the budget options, the labels clearly stated do not apply directly to the skin or mucous membranes. Not for oral use. Essential oils aren't "weak" in their effects, nor are they overly complex in composition; therefore, if you are considering ingesting something, you really ought to do your own deep dive into the research—especially if you have existing health concerns (which, let's be honest, is likely if you are currently on medication)—and, of course, consult with actual professionals. The trouble is, finding reliable information can sometimes feel like an art form, and obtaining tailored, expert advice usually comes with a price tag. I don't mean to lecture you—whatever happened, happened—but I feel compelled to mention that walking into a CVS or a Walgreens and deciding to ingest something without having done any prior research or due diligence is, frankly, quite irresponsible; particularly if it wasn't an emergency and you aren't some poor, illiterate elderly lady. As much as that aromatherapist might have erred, there is a high probability that you did as well. I am certainly no expert on oils—certainly not compared to forum regulars like Phyto and others—but I do know that very few are meant for oral consumption. In fact, most essential oils shouldn't even be used undiluted for topical application. Lavender is perhaps one of the gentlest and safest for both skin and mucous membranes, yet even then, oral intake should only occur in extremely minute quantities—plus, I suspect it is much more advisable to use a higher grade of oil for ingestion than what you might simply rub on your skin. These points—aside from the basic properties and how specific oils affect the body—are the very first things you encounter when reading about essential oils; this isn't some obscure, esoteric knowledge. It’s common sense held by anyone who has read even a few sentences on the subject.
I cannot offer you any specific medical advice, but I imagine you could easily lodge a complaint with the pharmacy management, or perhaps contact someone regarding irregularities in the labeling of the product (if they failed to include the warnings I mentioned above, that would actually be your strongest piece of evidence and your best leverage). Additionally, one might be able to investigate—though I am unsure exactly who handles such inquiries—whether that aromatherapist holds a valid certification and potentially pursue that angle as well. However, reporting them solely based on what happened to you—since you followed instructions that weren't even properly documented—likely won't yield much fruit. And honestly, this probably falls less under the umbrella of health and more under the category of legal rights.
lonegull13 said:Has anyone in Chicago gone for a private carotid Doppler ultrasound (for neurological issues)? I'm looking for a clinic where this scan might be a bit more affordable...
Or perhaps if someone knows a hospital where the crowds aren't so overwhelming that you're waiting for months... (I tried booking at Mayo Clinic - Central Park, but the wait is until October...)
Well, I personally went to the clinic on Crncecevo to see Kresimir Cavka (price list). To be fair, it wasn't for a carotid Doppler, but an abdominal ultrasound—though they do have the Doppler listed in their services. You should check out their rates and compare. Regarding the abdominal ultrasound, I don't know my way around much of Chicago, so I did quite a bit of searching, and he seemed to be among the most reasonably priced options. It is a little bit odd getting there, though—you actually have to walk through a courtyard and go through these funny-looking old doors—but the main thing is that they do a thorough job. 😉 I'm not entirely sure what kind of equipment they use—I don't really follow that sort of thing and didn't bother asking—but regardless of the tech, perhaps the small consolation is that the lead doctor is a Chief Physician. He seems very decent and actually takes the time to talk to you. Otherwise, they do take patients with insurance referrals, but if you use a referral, the wait times are longer. I suggest calling them first, mentioning you have a referral for a specific test, and asking how long the wait is. If that sounds too long, then just book it privately. For my ultrasound (without a referral), I only waited about one or two days, if I recall correctly. Good luck! 🙂
(And yes, I am still accepting compliments regarding general practitioners in Chicago who are taking new patients and are located in the West Side or Downtown—preferably near Runjaninova. Thank you! 😁)
Michelle Chase3 said:I actually see Nemet Krznarić—she is absolutely wonderful, truly my ideal physician—so calm, so thorough, and she always takes the time to explain every little detail you might be curious about. Some acquaintances have voiced complaints regarding her nurse, but personally, I’ve never had a single issue with her; in fact, she’s quite lovely and has been incredibly accommodating to me on several spontaneous occasions.
I went by to try and book an appointment with that doctor, but she wasn't in, and the nurse told me she was accepting patients—just to come back in a few days when the doctor is available. Well, when I returned, the nurse gave me this fake, polite brush-off and acted completely clueless. It seems like they aren't exactly eager to take on new patients anymore.
I was wondering if anyone could offer recommendations for a primary care physician within the same medical group—specifically near the clinic on Broadway. It could be in the suburbs or just generally in West Washington, D.C., or even downtown. Also, I’ve made a list of names of some doctors from the Broadway location, and I’m curious if anyone has any notable experiences with them? I really don't want to go in blindly. So, we have Kozar Maras, Vukasovic, Swigir, Martinovic, and Djuricic. I only looked at the offices on the ground floor to the right, though I'm not sure if there are others elsewhere. Thank you! 🙂
My mother has a very rigid work schedule—which makes it nearly impossible for her to squeeze in a trip to the dermatologist—and while I can’t help but feel a bit suspicious about the whole situation, I honestly have no idea what might be going on with her skin. I’ve never really been much of a skincare enthusiast myself, so if anyone could take a look at my description and offer some insight into what this might be, I would be incredibly grateful (by the way, I should be able to post a link to a photo next week):
The growth is located on her facial skin, specifically right along the side near the mouth and nose—you know, tucked into the nasolabial fold. It first appeared either last year or the year before. It is raised, mostly flesh-colored, measuring roughly 3 or 4 mm in diameter. On the bottom edge, there is a black spot, and lately, the flesh-colored portion has started changing—specifically, it has become partially somewhat whitish, almost as if there is something trapped inside it. I also noticed a tiny thread-like vein running through the center of the growth, though her face is already quite full of those little capillaries, so perhaps it was always there? Still, it’s worth noting...
Thank you all, and my apologies to the moderators if this topic is something I should have known better than to bring up!
Wait, what? I had no idea they’d opened a location in Indianapolis too.
Lockheed Martin’s clinic was actually the very first one to open up in Des Moines (well, technically just a medical center...), so you know they mean business. The lead guy is a surgeon, though he brings in all sorts of different specialists to help out. I don't personally know much about his background—honestly, just Google him, for heaven's sake!—but here is the info for the Des Moines branch. Hopefully, the details are up to date; if you can't find a direct number for the Indianapolis office, you might want to try calling the folks in Des Moines instead. Or, you could always just show up in person. http://www.tvrtke.com/poliklinika-tu...,MF-44233.aspx
I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on what those slanted lines actually signify in a lab report (specifically from Quest Diagnostics)? I’d truly appreciate any insight you might have!
I am formally proposing we open this discussion thread to compare medical testing costs—specifically looking at price points, overall quality, and turnaround times This is intended for anyone who finds themselves unable to get sufficient information through a simple Google search—perhaps because they are forced to seek out private clinics due to the sheer congestion in our public healthcare system, those interminable wait times, the inconvenient distance from their primary care physician, general dissatisfaction with current services, or even the need for supplemental screenings that don't require a formal referral from a doctor. Isn't it frustrating when you just want answers?
Should this topic gain significant traction, I kindly ask that you keep your posts concise, clear, and—most importantly—strictly on-topic to ensure we maintain a readable structure; please also feel free to suggest additional categories or criteria we should include in this comparison
Nicole Allen10 said:When the thyroid slows down, you gain weight. Wow, what a medical genius we have here!
If there is some pathological process occurring within the body that significantly contributes to weight gain, it doesn't necessarily have to be the thyroid—that is my point. People dealing with adrenal gland issues can also put on weight quite rapidly; in those cases, even minor stress can trigger it. Now, while that is far less common than thyroid dysfunction, certain tumors can also cause weight gain... the thyroid hormones aren't the sole culprits, even if they are perhaps more frequent drivers than adrenal hormones when we are searching for a cause. For instance, my own cortisol levels spike—something I mentioned in my previous post—and I find it much easier to gain weight when I am under stress. Cortisol is, by the way, vividly nicknamed the "stress hormone," and yes, it certainly makes things difficult. However, through discipline and truly getting to know one's own body, one can achieve a great deal. I am not suggesting you shouldn't have your thyroid checked, of course, but you cannot be certain because one simply cannot know enough based solely on the data presented in this thread. And please, forgive me in advance if I come across as arrogant or if I mistakenly assumed you knew less than you claim to.
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As for autosuggestion, or whatever one might call it, I am not entirely sure. We all frequently stumble upon some pop-psychology article claiming that obsessing over what we eat is actually worse than the mere fact of consuming the food itself. And honestly, it makes perfect sense. It remains fascinating—and somewhat inexplicable—but it is undeniable that the mind and body are inextricably linked. Thus, for example, simply being anxious about a meal can cause more harm than if we had just eaten the food calmly.
I personally struggled with hives for years. I reacted to very specific nutrients, and by tracking my diet and observing my reactions, I eventually identified exactly which nutrients were the triggers. This led me to become quite orthorexic—completely dependent on "healthy" eating. There was a period where I would read ingredient labels like a madwoman whenever I went grocery shopping at places like Whole Foods. I managed to remain disciplined in avoiding certain foods, yes; I ate as well as I possibly could, purified my system, gave my body the absolute best, and so on. But strictly speaking regarding food... the hives didn't actually improve that much. Why? Because I was so preoccupied with my nutrition that my constant agitation made me even more susceptible to the hives—it was purely hysterical urticaria. After a while, I realized that I would only react to those specific foods when I was in a state of stress, whereas normally I tolerated them quite well. Reading labels sometimes did more harm than good. I am glad that I know better now and don't have to obsess over studying ingredients to the degree I once did, but that initial fixation was incredibly detrimental to me. Once you understand your body better and learn more about healthy nutrition, there is a high probability you will approach it with more ease. And, as someone else pointed out, the worst diet is the one you cannot maintain for your entire life. A diet—or rather, fitness—should be a lifestyle, a way of eating, something that brings you satisfaction rather than serving as a frustrating tool for weight loss.
As for your claim that you eat properly and so forth... I cannot say for certain, but I truly doubt it, given that you are asking about such basic and widely known bodily processes. Perhaps it would be better to consult the experts at the Mayo Clinic or a specialized health and fitness group. I have only skimmed the material, so I am not sure if you mentioned exercise. Furthermore, you haven't specified your dietary habits (which would likely be more appropriate for a different subforum, but still...), so we simply cannot know if you are truly eating correctly or if you are consuming certain foods at the most opportune times of day or not (regardless of how much...Greetings! To get a better sense of things—assuming they were even helpful—how long are you typically spacing out your meals, and what does that schedule look like?
Nicole Allen10 said:I’m telling you, it’s definitely a thyroid issue, but hey, feel free to keep playing pretend if you want to stay in your little bubble.
Oh, please... really now... what exactly gives her such unwavering certainty regarding the thyroid? Is it possible her thyroid is functioning perfectly, yet her cortisol levels are simply crashing? Or perhaps it isn't either of those things at all? Why should she be so sure? Honestly! Does she personally suffer from thyroid dysfunction, or does she simply believe herself to be an expert on nothing else, jumping to conclusions the moment a symptom appears? If we are going to discuss hormones, one really ought to look far beyond just the thyroid alone.
Drew Gonzalez75 said:I just don't get it—wouldn't it be way easier to just have a doctor perform a hymenotomy rather than having to undergo a full C-section later on? 🤔
The thing is—and I hope this makes sense—Michelle Price66 doesn't actually have a hymenal septum, she has a vaginal septum. That’s what leads to what is often called a double or divided vagina (basically, an internal wall within the vaginal canal). Now, if that septum isn't particularly large—which seems to be the case here, given that her third gynecologist was the first one to even mention it—and if it isn't causing her any actual issues with intercourse or using tampons, then there really isn't a medical necessity to go through with surgery if she doesn't want to. Since a vertical vaginal septum likely carries minimal risk of complications, why rush? I mean, I am certainly no expert on the matter, but surely this procedure would be less invasive than a C-section... though perhaps not quite as simple as a basic hymen incision? I suspect it might require general anesthesia, unlike a simple hymenotomy, but ultimately, the choice of which path to take rests entirely with her.
@ Michelle Price66: Honestly, those doctors of yours were absolute idiots—it feels like you'd need a growth the size of a grapefruit for them to actually notice something! 😲 Well, hopefully I won't run into anyone like that again; I'm looking for a new provider very soon...
Michelle Price66 said:It’s possible you might be dealing with a vaginal septum...
...though, honestly, there is a much higher probability that we are simply talking about a specific variation of the hymen.
Please—and I say this with the utmost sincerity—do not let fear hold you back; instead, please schedule an appointment with a gynecologist for a routine exam. They aren't going to be performing any invasive procedures or forcing anything into your vagina—no, no—they will simply take a look, perhaps perform an ultrasound, and have a proper conversation with you. In the end, wouldn't it be wise to go? Especially since you are beginning your sexual journey—regardless of whether your hymen is "standard" or not... and as for whether your hymen could actually be pierced through penetration alone? Well, truly, this forum simply cannot provide a definitive answer to that.
If you aren't officially enrolled in the system yet, you really ought to urge your employer to get you registered immediately—and honestly, even if you have to pay them a little extra to expedite the paperwork, it might be worth it. You should expect at least $433 of coverage if they file the paperwork within a month. As far as I understand, there aren't really any strict deadlines if you are formally employed—I mean, legally on the payroll, of course. It’s only an issue if you’ve lost your status as a full-time student, were let go from a hospital, or something along those lines...
I truly empathize with your situation; I actually found myself without health insurance for a stretch of time recently, and—as if by some cruel twist of fate—that was exactly when I fell ill!
If you head over to the "Legal" or "Jobs & Career" subforums, you'll find plenty of discussions regarding health insurance for people who have missed their enrollment windows—so I would highly recommend digging through those threads. Also, do take a moment to read through the relevant sections of the American health insurance statutes.
You should definitely see a doctor. An ER will certainly treat you—and likely an urgent care clinic as well—provided you have your ID, though you'll need a physician who is willing to at least perform an initial exam. Now, for diagnostic tests and prescriptions, you're going to have to pay out of pocket; I'm not entirely sure how many doctors are willing to see a patient under someone else's insurance information (for instance, if a family member is still covered under the same provider). You can usually get a prescription without much trouble, especially at an urgent care center or the ER, but if we are talking about long-term therapy, I'm not quite sure how that works—you'd probably have to visit more frequently, and you'll definitely have to cover the cost of the medication. I am specifically referring to prescription-only drugs. As for something administered right there in the ER, like an injection, I don't believe there is a charge for that. Regarding lab work (microbiological, epidemiological, etc.) performed within a community health center—or perhaps in a hospital, though I can't say for certain as it depends on the specific procedure—you don't necessarily need a referral, but you will, of course, have to pay for it. For other types of testing, I believe you'd need to visit a private clinic or a specialist outside of the standard insurance network. They can provide prescriptions too, but again, you'll be paying for the medicine yourself.
So, to summarize, your options are: having your employer register you (which takes at least a month, unless they formally terminate your contract so you can report to the unemployment office within that thirty-day window to remain covered as an unemployed person), paying for it yourself (roughly $133 per month, applied retroactively to the day your coverage lapsed, and I believe this can be done for a maximum of one year), providing proof of enrollment (if you are a full-time student), which also must be submitted within a specific timeframe—though there is often some wiggle room there; I used to be late with my transcripts quite often and while the administrators were a bit grumpy about it, they always managed to extend my coverage. Then there is marriage, and everything else is significantly more complicated (for example, if someone is chronically ill and lacks financial means, they might qualify for state assistance, but as you mentioned, that doesn't apply here; and even if one were to attempt to circumvent the system through some sort of arrangement, the process takes months and involves a mountain of paperwork, so you might as well forget about that immediately...). There are various nuances regarding foreign nationals as well, but that likely won't pertain to your situation...
I’ve been wondering—how often does the danger from asbestos actually manifest when it’s tucked away inside an old stove? Our heating system gave out on us recently, so we brought back this wood-burning stove to the kitchen—you know, the one we kept tucked away since the early nineties. So, that asbestos packing is quite old. We used to vacuum around the stove all the time during cleaning, though I highly doubt there's much left there now. Regardless, the door itself still contains a fair amount of those fibers (since it's a double-door design meant to hold the seal together), and honestly, it would be a massive headache to take it apart. But then, near the top plate, there was also that packing material which my mother just removed in the kitchen—and despite my hysterical protests, she went at it with such energetic pulling and scraping with a screwdriver that everything was rattling around (especially since the packing hadn't been replaced and had become brittle from the heat), and she ended up sealing it with what they call "glass wool." I was in the room at the time, and I probably inhaled some of it, even though I wasn't standing right on top of it. My mother claims there isn't a trace of asbestos left in the unit, just the packing, but I suspect she hasn't the slightest clue.
Should I be worried? Okay, that’s a silly question—I am worried to high heaven and back again. 😢
My father passed away from lung cancer (though, to be fair, he didn't exactly look after himself—constant stress, smoking...), and both my mother and I have been dealing with a persistent cough for years; our respiratory tracts are incredibly sensitive. It’s not that we have specific allergies or anything, it’s just a constant cough, lots of mucus, and this feeling of bronchial irritation—but you know how it is, it feels impossible to get a referral for any actual testing unless you're practically dying.
Anyway... I can't exactly toss the stove out, so I don't know if those fibers are still hazardous if they've stayed intact? I'm not sure about the composition of that packing either—was it pure asbestos, or did it only contain a certain percentage? 🤷
In my experience, Opera remains the gold standard—just so incredibly fast and smooth. I actually ended up downloading Google Chrome today; I mean, you really need it these days, don't you? It still needs a bit of fine-tuning and tweaking to get it just right, but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by how distinctly fast it is. I still keep Internet Explorer 7 around for those specific moments when it's absolutely necessary—you know, because there are still certain legacy sites out there that just won't render properly or allow me to download files without it. As for Mozilla? Honestly, it has become such an irritation to me lately that I finally just uninstalled it entirely, since I simply don't find myself using it anymore.
Dr. Pollak is located over in St. Louis. There are actually a few other specialists in that same building—if I recall correctly, they’re up on the second floor—but they tend to work different shifts. It's right there by the plaza, near those shops situated between the stadium and the back entrance of the supermarket, though I can't quite recall the exact street number.
redgardener5 said:Look, people can still function even after induced menopause—I see my own mom do it all the time. Plus, she was sick twenty years ago and managed to have a baby in between... I mean, what are we even talking about here? 🙄
Yes, I am well aware of that—which is precisely why I laid out several different possible scenarios.
Christian Sanchez4 said:😲 Honestly, am I supposed to be the one fixing someone's tragic childhood?😲
Look, I KNOW for a fact that this woman—whom I nearly lost my temper with a while back—definitely has serious mental health struggles. She shows all the signs of depression (an expert knows😁). Her moods shift constantly. One minute she’s happy and laughing with you, and the next, her entire expression changes and she starts acting passive-aggressive. And then comes the audacity: "What did you mean by that?" followed by me wanting an apology for something she said, simply because she isn't having a good day. Maybe she had a nightmare or just "doesn't feel well," and suddenly everything is her problem.
I D O N T C A R EQ whether she's struggling or not, or if she didn't get enough affection growing up. If she wants to be difficult with me, she can deal with the consequences. There are plenty of facilities for that, and I made sure to tell her exactly that. As for those mood swings and sudden outbursts of yours, go talk to someone with an actual medical degree. I didn't go to med school, but I'm pretty sure there's a pill for everything. Go explain yourself to them; I couldn't care less.
Now, I didn't mean to imply anything definitive—I was merely attempting to clarify a few points here! You see, understanding a situation doesn't necessarily require one to make a personal sacrifice in the process, does it? Please, do be a dear and read my entire post to the very end before drawing any conclusions.
I must apologize—my apologies for the slip of the tongue—but I seem to have lost my way for a moment there. Please excuse me! Who on earth decided to move this over to Health & Wellness?! !#@$%^ 🤣 Well, if only we could at least pivot this toward psychology... I am genuinely curious to see what kind of nonsense unfolds next—wait, hold on—it seems the moderator spotted the bolded mention of menopause and assumed the entire thread now falls under that specific category... oh, good grief. And here I was, getting ahead of myself and feeling quite optimistic that things were finally stabilizing. We really ought to be grateful, though—at least this hasn't been offloaded to those specialists over in Chicago.
