Posts by Samuel Morgan40

John Hill6 said:Three days ago, I was out in the woods thinking I’d found some hallucinogenic psilocybe. I managed to knock back about seven small ones. Then yesterday and today, I picked some others—the kind that might actually be toxic—though they looked almost identical to the psilocybe cyanescens I saw before. My girlfriend basically kicked me out the door and sent me straight to the ER about two hours ago once she realized what I’d swallowed. To make matters worse, the doctor there was incredibly dismissive; she told me they wouldn't even admit me unless I were in a coma, essentially saying I was playing games with my life. She then had the nerve to suggest that once I end up in the infectious disease ward, she’ll have plenty of time to "play" with me when my liver starts failing. I honestly don't get that kind of attitude. I'm typing this on my phone while everyone else is asleep. What am I supposed to do here? Is there any actual natural remedy for poisoning? She claimed she didn't have the time to run blood tests because she had much more serious cases to deal with. Wikipedia says a lethal dose is 30 grams, and I think I took somewhere between 15 and 20. Right now, my stomach is killing me and I've got acid burning all the way up my throat.

I have just one question: how much does your girlfriend actually know about mycology to be able to say with such certainty that they were death caps?

Anyway, get yourself to the ER. Bypass that doctor's attitude and just be upfront—if you're certain or even just suspecting—that you ingested something you shouldn't have. Honestly, why worry about hurting someone's feelings or dealing with social awkwardness right now? Would you really wait until things got significantly worse before seeking help?

Maria Fisher46 said:I also wanted to circle back to one specific point—the whole debate regarding kindness versus arrogance.

Basically, most people—well, certainly the majority—expect their doctor to be personable, friendly, and easy to talk to. However, one should probably consider—though it’s a topic rarely discussed—how, in certain instances, excessive warmth and friendliness might actually serve as a smokescreen for incompetence. Patients, particularly those who aren't well-versed in the specifics of their illness or treatment protocols, often end up praising a physician and feeling immensely satisfied simply because of their bedside manner and communicative charm, even if the actual medical steps being taken aren't necessarily in the patient's best interest.

In this light, some physicians who lack advanced communication skills—but are exceptionally proficient at what they do, which is quite common in surgical specialties—might be branded as "bad" or labeled as someone you wouldn't recommend, despite the fact that they might perform the absolute best possible intervention in a specific clinical scenario.

I see your point, though I'm not suggesting, for instance, that a surgeon needs to be the perfect specimen of charm, beaming with smiles and whatnot. Of course, technical expertise remains my top priority—as I mentioned in my previous post.

A doctor could be the absolute best, the most skilled, the gold standard in their field, and still be perfectly fine if they remain merely cold or reserved. But there is absolutely no excuse for outright arrogance (which is supposedly most frequently attributed to surgeons), especially among the younger generation. That isn't a professional trait; it’s just an individual character flaw of the person. They should leave that attitude at home and perhaps adopt a more detached, professional mask for work instead. I've seen it everywhere, from nursing staff all the way up to the biggest egos in the hospital.

I realize people tend to demand quite a lot from you all—you really go through the ringer—so I suppose it was only inevitable that we’d eventually show up, too... though, given the crowd, there's certainly no shortage of different types lurking around here.😁...but rather:

wiredcanyon2 said:Greetings, everyone. I was wondering if we might have an open discussion here regarding what you actually look for in a physician—whether it’s your primary care doctor or a specialist. In your estimation, what does it truly mean to be a "good" doctor?

First and foremost, there is an underlying assumption that one actually possesses the requisite expertise—if you'll excuse my choice of words—and, more importantly, maintains a constant commitment to self-improvement in that department. One also needs a certain level of... shall we say, infinite patience? You have to deal with patients throwing all sorts of erratic questions your way—not to mention those moments where they propose "solutions" they genuinely believe are brilliant, when in reality, you mostly just have to gently steer them back toward common sense.

I suppose one has to wonder—and I do think this is worth a bit of a deep dive—what exactly constitutes an acceptable bedside manner in today’s medical landscape. It isn't just about whether the doctor can actually read an X-ray or prescribe the right meds, though that is obviously the baseline. No, I’m talking about the actual human element—the communication, the empathy, and that subtle dance between professionalism and genuine care. In my view, a physician should ideally approach a patient with a certain level of... let's call it "informed presence." It shouldn't be a one-sided lecture where they drone on about pathology while you stare blankly at a poster of the human anatomy. There needs to be a dialogue. I guess you could say a doctor should act less like a technical manual and more like a guide through a very confusing, often frightening process. Empathy is a tricky thing, too. If a doctor is too clinical, you feel like just another number in a database—like a line item on a Medicare claim. But if they are overly emotional, it can feel performative or even unprofessional. There is a middle ground somewhere—a measured, calm sort of compassion—that allows them to acknowledge your discomfort without losing their clinical objectivity. Then there is the matter of clarity. I’ve always felt that if a doctor can’t explain a diagnosis without burying it under a mountain of Latin jargon, they haven't truly mastered the subject. You deserve to understand what is happening to your own body. Perhaps the best approach is a blend: highly competent, yes, but delivered with enough humanity to remind you that you aren't just dealing with a biological machine, but a person. It’s a delicate balance, I suppose, but it really shouldn't be an optional one.
Are there certain negative traits—both in doctors and patients—that just inevitably tank the whole relationship? I’ve been wondering about how people actually categorize their physicians—you know, distinguishing between the "good," the "mediocre," and the absolute "bad apples." What are the specific red flags that make a partnership fail from both sides?

Communication is everything to me—truly. A simple smile can carry so much weight; sometimes, it’s even enough to provide a sense of comfort or a moment of peace when things get heavy. It sounds small, I suppose, but the impact is honestly indescribable.

Personally, I’ve always felt that in any profession—but especially in medicine—it’s vital to see that someone is actually a decent human being first and foremost. I like seeing that side of them—that bit of personality where they can actually crack a joke once in a while. I really can't stand it when people are overly rigid or stiff; you know, that type of person who insists on maintaining this massive, impenetrable wall between themselves and their patients. Of course, I’m not suggesting they should be unprofessional—far from it—but there ought to be some level of genuine human connection.

I’m well aware of how much the healthcare system has changed lately—and not necessarily for the better—due to various shortages and systemic pressures, but I still find it incredibly frustrating to be treated like just another number on an assembly line. I’m certainly not asking for half my workday to be dedicated to a single case, but there really ought to be some semblance of genuine interest in the patient. A little bit of quality guidance, thorough answers to questions, and a comprehensive examination... surely that isn't asking for too much?

The very first thing that turns me off is:
It’s that classic, awkward avoidance tactic—you know the one—where someone just stares at the floor, their desk, or some random piece of paper instead of actually looking you in the eye while you're talking. It’s incredibly frustrating to deal with.

Grumpiness and arrogance—honestly, I can’t even wrap my head around that second one. No matter how much I try to rationalize it, I find it to be one of the most repulsive traits a person can possess, whether they happen to be your hairstylist or your surgeon.

It’s that classic, superficial approach to care—where they barely even bother to sit down and actually talk to you about your symptoms before just handing over a prescription like it's a bag of candy. It feels incredibly rushed, almost mechanical. I’ve experienced this lack of genuine interest—or worse, the outright omission of crucial details—more times than I care to admit, both personally and by watching it happen to others.

The whole strategy seems to be answering questions with a simple yes or no—or just staying silent—all in a desperate attempt to get someone to unlock you as quickly as possible. I guess that’s one way to handle things, though it feels a bit rushed, doesn't it? Maybe it works if you're playing a game, but personally, I find the lack of nuance a little... well, predictable.

It’s honestly exhausting—watching people tear down their own colleagues while simultaneously muddying the waters with completely contradictory takes. I suppose that's just how things go sometimes, but frankly, I have zero patience for that kind of blatant unprofessionalism.

It really makes you wonder—when exactly are those supplemental tests actually necessary? It feels like my doctor is being incredibly stingy with referrals lately, almost as if he’s trying to balance the clinic's budget personally. I mean, I get that healthcare costs are a nightmare, but there has to be a line between being prudent and just being cheap when it comes to getting a clear diagnosis. I guess it’s just one of those things where you're left questioning whether you're being careful or just ignored.

And, I suppose, there’s also the matter of actual cooperation between specialists—like an endocrinologist and a gynecologist working together—rather than everyone operating in their own little silos and immediately dismissing anyone else's input.

🙂

Regarding the issues young doctors face with their textbooks—well, unfortunately, that’s just a systemic failure within our entire educational framework, dating back to the very beginning. It isn't isolated to the medical profession, either; it’s practically universal across almost every field. Honestly, it feels somewhat impossible to expect much from young professionals when they are strictly bound by what’s written in a textbook—let alone having any actual hands-on experience. Until we see some fundamental changes implemented in our K-12 schools and universities, talking about wanting more than just rote memorization seems a bit premature, I guess.

Light spotting doesn't always have to happen right before your period starts—for some people, it actually shows up afterward—and then there's also what they call ovulation spotting.

Anyway, I was wondering—have you actually made it to an OB-GYN yet, and if so, what was their take on things? Have you ever had your hormone levels checked?

Keith Thomas21 said:At my last gynecological exam, the doctor mentioned that one of my fallopian tubes looked like a thin wire and asked during the physical if I was experiencing any pain. He suggested that it’s actually chronic ovarian inflammation and implied that this was just some lingering remnant from my younger years!? I’m honestly at a loss—what is he even trying to get at with that?

Why didn't you just ask him for clarification? I honestly have no idea what he means by a fallopian tube looking like a wire 🤷—he’s the expert here, after all. It's likely just some old scarring from past inflammation.

Chocofan said:Has anyone here actually taken Provera? I was prescribed it for PCOS... and I've been bleeding for 14 days straight now...
I haven't experienced anything like this with any other pills before.

Honey, we're going to pull this post into its own separate thread. It's high time we had a dedicated discussion topic specifically for Provera tablets.

Look, kid, half the conversation (if not more) usually revolves around who was touring right before the war or just leading up to that miserable period.

Larry Rodriguez56 said:The Ladies (MoMA), Zoogz Rift, Honeymoon Killers, Urge Overkill, Helios Creed, Fugazi, MDC, MC4, Ride, Les Thugs/Hard Ons, The Fall, Pet Shop Boys, Sisters of Mercy, Nomeansno, Cows, The Jesus Lizard, Rollins Band, Bitch Magnet, Volcano Suns, All... all of them were playing right before the war.

I mean, how could you possibly forget legends like David Bowie and Tina Turner 😲 if we're really talking about the era just before the war. 😁

It’s been quite a while since I last checked in, but I suppose I can say I was reasonably satisfied with the little bit I managed to catch 👍—though I do regret missing the final day; I likely missed what would have been my absolute favorite part of the whole lineup. 😢

Oh, and one more thing: Snarky Puppy sounded absolutely terrible at Times Square. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming the band itself—the venue was clearly a disaster for them. Between the overwhelming crowds and all the constant chatter, shouting, and frantic waiters, it was just too much. At times, they were practically performing sotto voce, if you can believe it—just enough noise that you couldn't actually see or hear anything properly.

Chris Roberts8 said:I’m curious about what the music scene was actually like during the war years—what kind of concerts were happening (aside from those hateful ones targeting specific groups, etc.), what it felt like to actually attend a show, and whether people felt any sense of guilt for going to a concert while their fellow citizens were dying on the front lines.

Guilt wasn't really an issue—or rather, people didn't tend to process things through that specific lens—because, quite frankly, people just needed the music. There were definitely concerts, though I suppose it's a bit reductive to generalize about different regions of the US. In the areas where things were at their absolute worst, there certainly weren't many shows, so it would be somewhat unwise to compare one region to another. You also have to factor in the blackouts and the various rationing measures.

As for where, well, they happened. Naturally, local shows were everywhere they could be held, particularly humanitarian ones (though that might be a whole other topic regarding whether everyone was truly being charitable and where all that donated money actually ended up).

Did any foreign bands visit, say, Chicago, during the war?
I’m coming at this from a much more recent perspective, so I’m not intimately familiar with the era, but I'm genuinely interested—so please, share your own experiences, or those of your friends, or whoever. 🙂

Regarding international stars during the war... the first thing that comes to mind is the brilliant David Byrne from Talking Heads. I recall he made an appearance on some morning talk show, and they specifically asked him why he chose to visit such a young, small nation caught in the middle of a conflict. He performed in NYC.

Here is a little bit of atmosphere from '94. 🙂

St. John's Wort oil might actually be useful for you—though I suppose I have to wonder if it’s particularly wise to leave a grease-soaked cotton ball lying around, given where you are. Maybe try applying it overnight, or just dab some on during the day whenever it starts acting up—assuming it’s actually bothering you while you're walking or sitting about.

There are plenty of threads out there discussing amenorrhea, but what I’m really wondering is—has a doctor actually given you an official diagnosis of secondary amenorrhea?
Given that your cycle seems to be dragging on by anywhere from two to ten days, I suspect we might actually be looking at oligomenorrhea—basically just those classic, extended cycles rather than a total absence of menstruation.

How have your hormone levels been looking lately? Have you had any blood work done to check them?

This was over three years ago—well, technically twice, if you want to be precise. The application process wasn't exactly painful or anything, though I suppose there was that standard, slightly uncomfortable sensation when they were tapping around near my cervix with a soaked cotton swab 😁. Honestly, nothing out of the ordinary.

I didn't experience any side effects at all (not that I hadn't already dealt with podophyllin applications and cryotherapy previously); even my doctor mentioned there might be some minor spotting after the second round, but that never actually happened. I had completely forgotten about the whole thing until one day—while I was just cleaning up—that I noticed some sloughing tissue (🤣), sort of a whitish color. It looked a bit like a scrap from a plastic bag 😂 before it finally clicked what was happening. The treatment worked flawlessly, and I haven't had a single issue since then.🙂 :knock on wood:

Anyway, good luck. I really hope this helps you out, especially if you feel like you're running out of options with that annoying Candida. 🙂

I was there, but that wasn't actually my reason.
To be perfectly honest, I haven't heard much about people being so casual with their preferences when it comes to a candidate—though, I suppose she made quite an impression once she started associating herself with Albertsons.
Maybe things will settle down after that. 🙂

melloworca6 and Sarah Roberts2, if you actually want anyone here to interpret this correctly—or even just provide some clarity—you really need to lay out the full picture. That means providing the complete lab results,
the reference ranges, age, why you were even getting tested in the first place (your specific symptoms), a brief history of other medical conditions, and anything else relevant—including whether pregnancy is a factor.

As it stands, this isn't going to work. Please just follow the guidelines laid out in the original post; it’s a bit frustrating when people won't put in the effort regarding their own health. It is in YOUR best interest, and frankly, it makes things much easier for the doctors. 😉

I have such a soft spot for South by Southwest—honestly, I’d travel all the way to VZ just to experience it—and I’m really hoping I can manage to swing by for a quick two-day stint again this year. It would be a dream if I could somehow cross paths with the Breakers or the Cowboys... though, if that doesn't pan out, I suppose seeing the Molesters or Rambo would be a decent consolation prize. That said, looking at the schedule, it seems almost physically impossible to make all those sets work timing-wise. I guess I'll just have to get creative and try to engineer some kind of miracle. 🙂

That’s just not how we handle topics over on the Wellness board.

P.S. You certainly won't find anyone here suggesting you should intentionally induce vomiting as a substitute for, say, eating better and actually digesting your food properly. 😉
If you are dealing with issues of that nature, though, there are a few specific threads you might find more useful—and we would be more than happy to help you out there.

I suppose I should weigh in here and confirm that I'm seeing the exact same thing. 🙂

And what’s the consensus regarding these oral exams? 😁