Posts by Jason Nelson64

I was just wondering if those rumors about a sequel are actually true 😲

The first one was 🙂

And apparently, the second one will be released 🍿

Hey everyone,
has anyone dealt with something similar to this:
for a few months now, this has been my pattern—it starts with a single drop of spotting, then nothing happens for over 24 hours despite having terrible abdominal cramps and headaches. suddenly, after those 24 hours, it turns into a flood. I get this heavy, intense bleeding accompanied by pain for two days, and then it takes another 4 or 5 days to fully taper off. My cycles are regular (28 days), I’m not on birth control, and I’m not sexually active. And
my PMS symptoms are intense (swollen, tender breasts, cramping, breakouts, massive sugar cravings, irritability, mood swings, and brain fog). These kick in up to 7 days before the bleeding starts—once they even started 14 days prior, basically right after ovulation!
Should I be worried about this?
My OB-GYN considered putting me on the pill because of the severe PMS, the pain, and the heavy flow, but hasn't actually prescribed anything yet. It feels like she's waiting to see if things just settle down on their own; she doesn't want to just hand out medication. But this has been wearing me down for years, ever since I got my first period (at age 11, so nearly 9 years ago), and the pain and heavy bleeding just won't let up. My PMS has eased up slightly, but that's about it.

brightbear8 said:That’s exactly what’s been happening to me the last few days. My big toe hurts—right at the base, that little fleshy part before the toe starts. It feels deep inside.
Except for me, it isn't from my shoes. I can't even move it; the pain is unbearable. It was swollen and bruised for two days. The swelling went down, but it still hurts like hell.
People have already tried telling me it's gout or sciatica (I do have spine issues), but I feel stupid even thinking about going to the doctor just to say my toe hurts!
But seriously, it hurts.

It might be bursitis—inflammation of the bursa, that little cushion between the bone and muscle that reduces friction. If that's the case, you should take some Advil and rub on some Voltaren cream. Personally, I have bunions and I'm an active dancer, so I've dealt with this before. There were times my toe swelled up so bad I couldn't walk or even touch it for a week.

dustymarlin10 said:Hey Jason Nelson64, just so you know, Medicare actually reimburses you if you had to pay out of pocket for a screening because the US healthcare system couldn't get you in within a month...

That exam was back in 2007. That option didn't even exist yet... unfortunately.

My experience with the US healthcare system has been nothing short of tragic. At 16, I was diagnosed with a prolactinoma—a pituitary adenoma. To confirm the diagnosis from my gynecologist, who refused to jump to conclusions without exploring every possibility, we needed an MRI of the pituitary gland immediately. My blood work showed positive results for sex hormones and a tenfold increase in prolactin levels. We needed that scan right away so I could start treatment and prevent long-term consequences. However, when we called the General Hospital, they told us to call back in a month just to schedule an appointment. I called back a month later, only to be told I might get a slot in November. When I first scheduled, they were telling me FEBRUARY!!! I was stunned, completely in shock at how long I’d have to wait for a diagnostic test that was absolutely essential for starting my therapy. I had no choice but to go private, and it cost me over $667. It turns out the General Hospital shares one of its two MRI machines with a private clinic, which uses it every afternoon from 2 PM to 8 PM, while the public hospital only gets access for four hours in the morning from 8 AM to 12 PM!!! What kind of absurdity is that? A state-run hospital and a private clinic sharing the same equipment, where you wait nine months in the public sector, but if you pay up, you can use that exact same machine within a week!!! I recently read a story about a woman in the same situation; she had to wait months at the General Hospital, whereas the private clinic could see her immediately if she paid. She somehow managed to beg the private clinic to see her for free because she couldn't afford it. But did anyone ask if my family had an extra $667 lying around for this scan??? Of course they found the money; anything for my health.
The second thing eating at me is that our glorious American bureaucracy won't fund medications that aren't on their approved list. The only one that *is* on the list is intolerable and causes severe side effects. During a clinical trial for a different medication, I actually fainted before they could discharge me. The drug dropped my blood pressure so low they couldn't even get a reading, and I had to receive a 2-liter IV infusion. They could barely find a vein to administer it. Despite all that, the department head refused to approve funding for an alternative medication. His logic? "You're young, you'll get used to it eventually." But I have to take this medication for the REST OF MY LIFE, just in varying doses!!! So, for four years now, I've been paying for it myself and importing it from abroad. In the meantime, my doctor moved from public practice to a private practice, and naturally, I followed him because he knows my case better than anyone and can finally give me his full attention. But that costs money, obviously. It’s depressing that if you want quality care, you have to pay extra for it. It’s also heartbreaking how they treat children; there should at least be some concern for them, if not for anyone else. Before I started treatment, I was just a typical 15-year-old who hadn't had a period in a year, and people kept telling me it was normal for my age to have an irregular cycle. It wasn't until they realized it wasn't going to fix itself that I saw a gynecologist, who figured everything out. But those who were supposed to ensure I received proper treatment once the diagnosis was confirmed failed me through sheer negligence, indifference, and total apathy.

I had one on my butt; I had it removed with a laser four years ago and haven't had any issues since. The scar is almost completely invisible now. I was 15 at the time.

I don't care what anyone says, my experience was pretty much the same. My period started early at age 11, then suddenly I developed hips and a butt, but my breasts just completely stopped growing four years after that initial spurt. Through 8th grade, every girl out there was way ahead of me, except for one girl who was totally flat because she hadn't even hit puberty yet. Until high school, I mostly wore tube tops because I didn't have anything to actually put in a bra—it was basically half-empty most of the time.
Even now, at 19, my breasts are tiny. They fluctuate between a 30AA (yes, you heard that right, it exists, zero or near-zero), 30A, and 28B. The issue is that while my ribcage is relatively small, I lack enough breast tissue. They’re spaced quite far apart, and if the bra isn't heavily padded with foam, gel, oil, silicone, or whatever else you can stuff in there, it's useless. The cups stay empty and the bra just slides up constantly. The only time they swell slightly is during PMS; they look visually larger then, but they hurt like hell, so I'd honestly rather stick to my standard small size. I'm currently in that PMS phase and the pain is unbearable. I can't wait to finally get my period so they shrink back down and stop hurting. Peace to all the ladies here.

Hannah Ward86 said:Where in NYC can I get my 17-OHP tested? Thanks.

Look, I need to have mine drawn next week. I usually go to the Mayo Clinic for all my hormone panels, so I can ask around for you...

a) Let's tackle some taboo subjects—maybe domestic abuse, or perhaps the grind of a young athlete fighting through obstacles to grab gold at a major championship. Honestly, it wouldn't hurt to see a film centered on the art of dance, too; it’s a medium that feels pretty neglected in our society here in America.
b) An adaptation of the last Stipančić
age : 19

Susan Harris said:I already posted this on another thread because I could barely find you guys here. 🙂

But first, let’s get one thing straight—my dilemma isn't whether or not to get vaccinated.

I see most of you here are mothers weighing whether to vaccinate your daughters. I assume you're all a few years older than me (I'm 26).
Here’s the situation:
When I was 19, girls on college campuses were whispering about something we didn't even have a name for yet, but an epidemic was brewing. Of course, nobody was openly talking about it. That was also when I had my first Pap smear; it came back negative, but my gynecologist told me that almost 90% of tests for women my age come back POSITIVE. !!!
Essentially, the epidemic exploded right around the time you all had your children, so your generation probably doesn't view it as such a massive issue.
As for me, I don't have a single female friend who isn't HPV positive. These are women in their mid-20s who need checkups every few months because they deal with CIN III (one step away from cancer), who have to explain to their boyfriends that they need to use condoms FOREVER, and who have to be extra careful during pregnancy...
And this isn't about women with multiple partners. Some caught it from their very first boyfriend. Because apparently, men don't really care; they don't show symptoms, they just act as carriers.

If there is any way to lower my risk of going through all that, I am not hesitating.
So far, all my Pap smears have been fine. I went in for my annual checkup this morning, and my doctor said if this result is negative, I should get the HPV vaccine.

What I want to know is this... Has anyone older than 13 been vaccinated, and what are the COSTS? I've heard the vaccine is incredibly expensive. On the other hand, I also heard it might be available for free.
Does anyone know anything about this?

Hey,
You can get vaccinated after 13—I think up to age 25. I read that in an article where prominent American gynecologists specializing in youth reproductive health (including my own doctor) were discussing it. Girls aged 13 get it for free since it's covered by government funding as part of a campaign to reduce HPV cases and cervical cancer. The age 13 mark was chosen because it's assumed most girls haven't been sexually active yet, making the vaccine most effective. But that doesn't mean you can't get it if you're older and haven't had sex; quite the opposite. It’s a three-dose series, and the price is $3 $0.00, though I'm not sure if that's per dose or for the whole set. I believe there might be options for partial or full coverage for those with lower incomes.
I'm 19, not sexually active yet, and I'm thinking about getting it. Before I make a final decision, I'm going to consult thoroughly with my gynecologist, who is very knowledgeable on the subject.

Mona Lisa Smile

Susan Howard35 said:I tried using conditioner, applying it strictly to the ends🙂

My main concern is whether I should be reaching for a shampoo meant for dry dandruff or oily dandruff.

Oily dandruff... I believe it's that green Vichy one.

If you’re just dealing with hair and nail issues, try Viviscal. Every fall, my hair thins out so much I could practically make a wig out of it. One year was particularly bad. I took Viviscal for three months, and everything stabilized. My hair remains thick and full now, with zero signs of massive shedding. Plus, those supplements helped my nails recover too. During the autumn months, my nails would get thin and brittle, snapping before they could even grow out properly. Viviscal fixed that as well. Give it a shot; it might work for you too.

This looks promising, definitely worth a watch...

Hey ladies, just wanted to share my struggle with you all. I started my period at 11, and from the very beginning, it’s been painful, heavy, and regular. My cycle first went haywire when I finished 7th grade, but that was just due to stress—I was starting middle school, dance classes, and extracurricular dance all at once. Everything stayed normal until freshman year of high school, where every month was the same nightmare: I couldn't even get out of bed in the morning because of the pain. I'd spend the entire day lying down and sleeping because I was completely incapacitated. I started with Tylenol, then moved to Advil—first the standard stuff, then the extra strength—and now I've graduated to Aleve. During freshman year, I actually missed my period for an entire year, only to be diagnosed during sophomore year with a prolactinoma that was messing with my hormones. Honestly, that year was such a relief—no acne, no cramps, nothing. My period returned in junior year, about six months after starting treatment, but since then, things have just gone from bad to worse. Right now, the cramping starts ten days before my period arrives, and by the first day, no amount of pills can touch it. The acne has calmed down, but once ovulation hits, there's absolutely nothing to stop it. My doctor told me that if things don't improve, she'll put me on birth control, so I'm just waiting for my next appointment, hoping that finally puts an end to this miserable PMS.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is hands down the best one in the entire series.

My doctor ordered my hormone panel for day 21 of my cycle, so now I'm stuck wondering. I haven't heard anything about needing these tests done at the start of the cycle before.

What can I even say? They tested me on a medication that made me pass out right in front of the doctors, just as I was about to be discharged. Then they prescribed an alternative that isn't even registered here in the States because only the specific drug they tested me on is approved. I waited three months for my discharge papers, and during that time, I was essentially buying medication illegally just to get by. They promised me they would submit a request to the hospital for the drug to be approved and covered by insurance. Fast forward a year later to my follow-up appointment, and it turns out the request was never even filed. Why? Because the department head refused to budge; he insisted I take the very medication that caused me to lose consciousness right before his eyes. The worst part is, if they had actually given me that initial prescription, I would have been taking it three times a day—meaning I would have been passing out three times a day. Once again, they gave me the same empty promises, but I highly doubt anything will ever come of it. In the US healthcare system, it’s clearly more important to cut costs than to care about how patients actually feel. So now, for a year and a half, I’ve been traveling every two months just to pick up a $90 medication. And I'm only seventeen.