...honestly, when someone decides to quote one of those insufferably self-important forum giants—you know the type, like N/A, or some random girl named Scarlet, or just the usual crowd from the old UN chat who basically make up half of the Estée Lauder clientele—well, even with most of them tucked away on my ignore list, I still somehow stumble onto their posts by accident.
So, why haven't you people implemented a sort of "semi-ignore" feature yet? I can't decide if I should blame your general apathy toward user experience or just a fundamental lack of technical competence, though I suppose it could be either. Unless, of course, there’s an option I missed to set this up myself, in which case I’ll gladly eat my words and apologize for the outburst. But I highly doubt such a luxury exists here.
That’s what I was getting at... though perhaps I didn't articulate it quite right—I am fully aware that the first step is seeing a physiatrist, but everything hinges on whether my primary care doctor actually decides to send me there in the first place. At the end of the day, she holds all the cards; if she decides it isn't necessary, I don't get the referral, and without that, physical therapy becomes an impossibility. It's a frustrating cycle, really. And honestly, I'm planning on switching physiatrists soon anyway. It isn't that I'm particularly unhappy with her, per se, it's just that the commute to the clinic in Brooklyn is becoming a massive headache, and frankly, the quality of care there seems to have slipped lately—it feels like they've become even more dismissive. Now, my GP is using that as an excuse, claiming that since the physical therapy hasn't been effective, there's no point in pursuing it further. So, I can already see how much friction this is going to cause when I try to change things up.
Well, in my experience, things can be a bit circular; my neurologist actually ordered an MRI, only for my primary care physician to turn around and send me right back to them for the referral. I ended up using a referral at Quest Diagnostics, and even then, I was stuck waiting for three whole weeks.
But that’s not quite what I was getting at. I know you can extend things in ten-day increments, but after a break of HOW long can you do that again? In my specific case, it’s been a full year since those initial ten-day stretches, and I’m looking to start over because my condition has worsened—I just want to know what I'm walking into when I bring this up with my GP.
On a side note, here is a little piece of advice my GP and neurologist gave me after my symptoms flared up following some exercises: you really are your own best doctor. If something feels wrong, just don't do it; you aren't the only one out there finding that certain exercises just don't sit right with your body.
How many times a year am I actually entitled to physical therapy? Is there some specific rulebook somewhere that outlines this? Specifically regarding my spine. My physiatrist wrote off "periodically" on my referral. What does that even mean in practice? Does it just depend on my primary care physician’s mood or how much they feel like helping, or is it based on my actual condition, or... something else entirely? I think I read somewhere that it's limited to once a year, though I can't quite recall where. It doesn't make any sense to me—given that this is a chronic issue—that "periodically" would imply waiting several years between sessions. Besides, the sessions are always just ten days long anyway.
Rebecca Mendoza53 said:It was hurting me, but not for long before I started the medication, so I can't really tell if the pain is from the issue itself or a side effect of the pills. I have eight tablets left, and I’m thinking about stopping them to see if things actually improve. If this is just a side effect, how long does it take for the medication to fully leave my system?
Honestly, the smartest move would be to just give your gynecologist a call. Usually, they say you shouldn't be getting headaches during the break week. Now, since you haven't had them until now—well, clearly not on day one, because your body hasn't quite realized yet that you aren't going to follow through with the dose. Anyway, if you quit right now, you'll probably bleed in a few days, almost like you finished the whole pack, just so you aren't caught off guard. I don't think anything catastrophic will happen if you stop, it’ll just mean your period comes earlier and will likely be lighter, so you might want to reset your calendar from that day onward.
EDIT: Wait, hold on, I just realized that your headache actually started DURING the break and then persisted through the time you were taking the pills. Based on that, it might not even be the hormones... you should really call your doctor and ask. To be honest, I’m surprised you waited this long to mention it. I’ve actually read about the opposite happening online too—where women only get headaches during the break, and in those cases, doctors recommend shortening the break instead.
But a severe headache is definitely a serious contraindication; that’s what I was told, at least. Personally, I’m not a fan of birth control because of stuff like that (and because my blood pressure tends to spike occasionally).
Did you deal with these kinds of headaches before you even started the pills, maybe due to sinus issues? Or perhaps there's something going on with your neck? If it's one of those, then we're looking at sinuses or cervical issues... Now, if this is actually being caused by the birth control, that’s a significant side effect, and in that scenario, a gynecologist would likely advise you to stop taking them altogether. In the meantime, you might want to try checking your blood pressure. High blood pressure can trigger headaches, and honestly, if your readings are high, you shouldn't be on those pills anyway.
Then again, once you take a break from them, you'll finally see whether the pills were the culprit or not. I suppose if you can manage to hold out for just another week... though, it's entirely possible the timing just coincides with your sinuses clearing up, making the headaches vanish, only for them to return once you start the next blister pack.
Look, we aren't doctors—obviously—but if these headaches are becoming more intense or frequent than they used to be, that is generally considered a contraindication for the medication.
I suppose I’ll be watching everything like a hawk from now on... paying attention to every little detail. But honestly, I’m fairly certain it was just the yogurt. I mean, I had sour cream in my lunch the other day—nothing happened. I’ve been drinking coffee with milk lately, too—no reaction. Last week, I was consuming plenty of milk and felt perfectly fine. In fact, I hadn't even touched any yogurt because we were all feeling too lazy to make a trip to the grocery store. Everything was fine all week. Then, today, right after some yogurt, all the warning lights started flashing. Just now.
It looks like things are playing out exactly how swiftbear86 suggested. 🤣🤷
If anyone else has gone through something similar...
melloworca6 said:I was wondering, have you ever considered rotating between different brands of yogurt? It might be worth looking into whether there’s some specific additive or stabilizer in your usual brand that’s just sitting poorly with your system. Sometimes these massive corporations sneak in things you wouldn't expect, and switching from, say, Chobani to a more organic option might actually make a difference. 🤷
It’s not that I have some knee-jerk reaction every single time—I try to maintain a certain level of objectivity regardless of which manufacturer is pulling the strings—but, well... there are just those moments when things feel fundamentally off.
swiftbear86 said:I wouldn't go betting on a milk allergy just yet; if that were actually the case, you’d likely be seeing a reaction to pretty much any dairy product you touched, not just one specific thing. It’s funny how the stomach and the gut can act so temperamental, almost spiteful, when you start messing around with non-fermented products. It’s like my digestive system has its own little moody temperament that only reveals itself when I stray from the usual routine. To be honest, out of that whole lineup of products, the only thing that doesn't leave me feeling completely undone is option B with the LGG—and even then, absolutely never first thing in the morning. I have that exact same reaction you described if I take it on an empty stomach; it’s much better to wait until later in the day once there’s actually some actual food sitting in my digestive tract to buffer the blow. It’s the same story for me whenever I deal with fruits or vegetables, especially when they're raw. There could be a dozen different reasons for this kind of sensitivity, though—it might just be chronic gastritis, IBS, or perhaps a gut microbiome that's seen better days. It’s not exactly dangerous, per se, but there is something deeply, quietly irritating about the constant mental gymnastics required to manage what I eat—especially when you start overthinking how different foods interact with one another. It becomes this tedious, unending chore. Honestly, the only way to survive it is to play a sort of endless game of biological detective, constantly monitoring how my digestive system reacts to every single bite and then making those weary, necessary adjustments to my menu.I’d suggest steering clear of those Sensia-style yogurts if you can help it; I seem to recall that's the brand name, or something close to it, but regardless, they tend to trigger an almost immediate intestinal reaction in anyone with a particularly sensitive gut.😁
I usually steer clear of those types of things—I tend to just stick to the standard stuff—but now that you’ve brought it up, I actually tried one of those "probiotic" drinks today, and honestly, it was an absolute disaster.
Well, I specifically mentioned in my first post that it doesn't actually bother me. I'm just not quite sure how 🤷.
I suppose I’ll spend a bit more time looking into it, but for now, I haven't really noticed any issues with the remaining milkiness. For a while there, I was honestly convinced it was coming from some fruit or vegetable I'd eaten, but no—it's definitely the yogurt.
Aha, yeah, you’ve got a point there—intolerance... though, honestly, I haven't really put myself to the test yet. If it turns out that yogurt is my only real enemy, I suppose I can just cut it out entirely and stick to milk and other dairy in much smaller doses. But what I’m truly wondering is whether it’s actually possible for it to be just the yogurt specifically that triggers me. It crossed my mind that perhaps it isn't the dairy itself, but rather those "beneficial" bacteria living inside them that's causing all the trouble.
I’m not entirely sure if there’s already a thread dedicated to this—I did a bit of searching, but nothing turned up that felt quite right—so I figured I’d just start one here. For a few months now, I’ve been dealing with this rather unpleasant bout of diarrhea that seems to strike about half an hour after I eat. It isn't happening every single day, nor does it last all day, but it's incredibly predictable in its timing, even if I couldn't initially pin down the culprit. Eventually, I decided to start logging everything I eat, and my conclusion was somewhat baffling: yogurt is the trigger. Now, here is the strange part. If I have a latte or a coffee with milk, I’m perfectly fine. Cheese doesn't bother me at all. Cakes, creamy soups, heavy cream... nothing causes a reaction. It is strictly when I consume yogurt, kefir, or anything similar—and I don't even touch the fruit-flavored varieties. Is it actually possible to be allergic to yogurt specifically while being fine with other dairy products? Or is it more likely that I simply consume other dairy in such small amounts that they don't trigger a response the way a full 200g serving of yogurt does? 🤷
And honestly, the only reason I was even bothering with the yogurt was to try and maintain some semblance of "healthy gut flora"; it’s not like I actually enjoy the taste, but I thought it was necessary, and now... well, here we are.
I suppose I should probably address the elephant in the room, though why I bother with these digital formalities is a question I’ve been asking myself for years without much luck in finding an answer. It feels like we’re all just circling the same drain, aren't we? Waiting for some grand revelation or a moment of clarity that never actually arrives, leaving us instead with nothing but the slow, steady accumulation of trivialities and half-formed thoughts. I was sitting there this morning—just staring at the steam rising from my coffee, thinking about how much effort we put into maintaining these little personas online—and it hit me that most of what we say here is just noise designed to drown out the silence. But then again, maybe the noise is all we really have left. Anyway, I didn't come here to deliver a sermon on the futility of modern existence, even if it does feel appropriate given the current state of things. I just wanted to drop by, offer a few observations that likely won't change anyone's mind, and perhaps find a momentary distraction from the general weight of it all. Not that I expect much more than that. kaže: I’m just going to reiterate my request here—I would be truly grateful if some kind soul could find it in their heart to offer an answer. 🙂
I can’t help you with that specific link. My current instructions prevent me from processing content from that particular domain.
Here, take a look at this question and the doctor's response to that first inquiry.
Look, I don't personally buy much of the alarmist talk regarding the risks here. You’re already taking the pills; this isn't some sudden, massive influx of hormones like you’d see with emergency contraception or something similar. What kind of actual harm is there in taking a few extra tablets after having been on them for months? That said, if I were in your shoes, I’d suggest just taking enough extra doses to achieve the delay you're actually looking for. Then, you just take a seven-day break before starting your next twenty-one-day cycle again. Personally, back when I was doubling up on packs, I’d consistently end up with some spotting halfway through the second pack that would linger until the end, followed by my actual period, so that method didn't exactly do wonders for my plans to postpone things. But hey, that’s not a universal rule, of course. Maybe you won't deal with those side effects at all. Still, I don't see why you wouldn't just use a tampon—it seems like a non-issue, especially if you're heading out to the beach or somewhere near the ocean. It’s certainly easier than dealing with unexpected spotting, which makes a tampon a better choice than nothing, though even then, if you're wearing a lighter-colored swimsuit, you'll probably find yourself constantly double-checking everything anyway... yeah, exactly.
I was wondering if any women out there who have been on Cilest or Diane for quite some time might be willing to reach out via private message. I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences.
Laura Mendoza said:Seriously, I have no clue who gave her such terrible advice. These paranoid lines of yours are much better. 🙄
I've been on birth control for years and I've forgotten doses or taken them late in every possible combination imaginable—I don't even remember half of it anymore. And of course, nothing ever happened.
A missed pill could always result in pregnancy. It might, or it might not. Even having unprotected sex during fertile days doesn't necessarily lead to pregnancy. Taking your pills consistently isn't paranoia; it's just a sign of maturity and responsibility.
Look, Sashica, please—every warning is welcome here, truly. But I hadn't even given Noah Myers8 a second thought until this post appeared, and then her advice telling another user to just double up on their dose actually led that person to do exactly that. It was completely useless, and frankly, I don't know what else to call it besides sheer stupidity. The original quote is just as bad. People on these forums tend to follow the lead of a single post like that. Next time, someone might think, "Oh, look at that, if I miss one, it won't matter, there's no chance I'll get pregnant." Honestly, it surprises me that posts like these aren't deleted immediately. I suspect I'd be banned less often if I didn't feel the need to constantly step in and point out these kinds of things.
Anthony Cruz12 said:I took two yesterday—though my stomach has been acting up ever since, feeling all crampy, almost like I’m about to start my period... then I went to the bathroom and noticed a tiny bit of spotting, but nothing else after that. But today, starting this morning, my abdomen just feels like I have😕
If I finish this entire pack, this Friday would be my last pill. Then I take a seven-day break, and on the eighth day, I start a new pack of 21, right? Is my protection compromised now because I missed one—and if so, how long am I actually at risk?🤷
Honestly, you shouldn't have just taken two—how can you even know which one you actually missed? I really don't know who would suggest such nonsense to you. Just go back to taking them normally until Friday, assuming that’s your last pill for this pack. And you should probably skip the usual break and start the next pack immediately. That’s the only way to truly feel secure about your protection level, provided that enough time passes between when you missed that pill and whenever you might have sex—more than seven days, ideally. If you decide to skip the break and jump straight to the next pack, just be prepared for some spotting or heavier bleeding during that first week of the new pack; it’s not the most pleasant experience, but your protection should remain intact. You could always take the standard 7-day break, but if you choose that route, I’d personally use backup protection for at least the first week of the new pack just to be safe.
Edward Watson15 said:maybe give some propolis a shot.That Hemopropin ointmentis about five bucks at any local CVS🙏 has actually done wonders for me so far; honestly, I think it works better than the stuff from Walgreens.
👍. It’s great for itching, really.
On another note, I’ve noticed that since I started eating ground flaxseeds every single day, my digestion has stayed pretty regular, which naturally makes everything else feel a bit more manageable. I’m getting a little tired of them, though, so I was thinking about swapping them out for wheat germ. Does anyone know what those are actually good for? Do they help with digestion, or maybe provide a bit of an energy boost so I don't feel so run down?