I went through the exact same thing. Once I got my diagnosis from UnitedHealth Group, I started using a machine every single night. It hasn't been easy, but I know it's what keeps me alive and prevents much worse things, like a stroke.
You can find all the details in that article above regarding UnitedHealth Group.
Starting a new thread here... since so many people ask, and most of the answers can be found right here!
Personally, I’m still seeing my psychiatrist every six weeks... my conditions are chronic.
I received a Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis back in 1990/91... along with stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and certain personality traits.
Because of these issues, I had to transition to disability retirement in 1992. Things haven't improved significantly, though I am capable of taking care of myself. Unfortunately, I'm dealing with even more medical issues now, so it feels like I'm just going in circles.
I hope you all find what you're looking for in this thread.
On July 18, 1994, Riccardo della Corte was born in Italy!
So, what’s the story?
His mother actually set a record at the time for being one of the oldest women to give birth, conceiving at age 62. That was just ten years ago.
The son is now 10, making her 72. The motivation to have a child came from a place of deep grief after losing her 17-year-old son in a motorcycle accident.
She was devastated, especially since she had hoped to see grandchildren soon. They looked into adoption, but according to the law, they were considered too old.
Six months after her son passed, she met Professor SeverinoAntinori, a scientist involved in some pretty controversial cloning research. Rosanna was on hormone therapy, and the professor used an egg from another woman, which was then fertilized with her husband's sperm—he was 64 at the time.
It took two years to finally get it right. She went through six failed treatments and one miscarriage before they finally succeeded. She mentioned that even after the eighth attempt didn't work, she still wanted to keep trying. Rosanna says she felt like she was in her 20s again.
restlessmarlin6 said:It’s lower, sure, but definitely not impossible!
If women became infertile right after turning 30, I’d understand the rush, but I don't see much reason to panic. You just have to put in a little more effort. 🙂 😁
I mentioned that my wife had her first child at 26... her second was at 37, which was planned, and we had zero issues conceiving—and that was thirty years ago.
My point was that 42 might be pushing it a bit. I know fertility treatments and delivery methods have evolved and improved significantly... but there is still a difference between a woman in her early 30s and one over 40. Of course, there will always be outliers, like someone struggling at 25.
It isn't just about women, either. Male fertility isn't perfect across the board, and we're seeing a sharp decline in fertility among younger men lately. Compared to guys in their sixties, the gap isn't actually that huge.
TsunamiGirl said:Supposedly, female fertility starts to dip after age 27 or 28—purely biological.
I heard it on an Oprah segment once, though I assume their production teams actually vet their research before filming.
I don't worry about external factors. I look at biology. If fertility drops off after 30, we all need to hurry up...
It’s easy for guys, though. They can be dads even at 70...🙂
Since I follow this data closely and work as a Urologist myself, "guys" are increasingly facing infertility issues; regardless, sperm quality is significantly lower compared to twenty years ago. There are several factors—people aren't sticking to healthy lifestyles, diets, or they're drinking too much... but stress seems to be the biggest culprit. Again, there will be variations between different groups of men, but those are just averages.
One thing that bothers me, especially on this health forum, is that people shouldn't write extensively about illnesses without warning others. I know firsthand what I went through between ages 40 and 62... and I know which topics require a heads-up.
While you women discuss everything and have plenty of subjects here, very few men are involved or looking to understand their own health needs and the necessity of medical or clinical checkups before it's too late.
Karen Brooks said:Jamie Clark74, do you have any idea how many women in their twenties struggle with infertility? You’re probably just talking nonsense. And do you know how many women over thirty conceive without any issues at all? I'm guessing you don't.
You aren't an expert here. Please stop repeating things you've heard or read if you don't actually understand the subject.
Just for context, my father is a gynecologist, if that matters to you.
Ladies, please don't panic before it's even necessary. Just let things happen naturally. Don't obsess over what "should" have happened or worry that you've missed your window. Life is unpredictable, and constant worrying about this stuff isn't healthy for anyone. 👋
I actually know quite a bit about this; I didn't spend two years at Harvard Medical School for nothing. While I'm certainly no medical professional, I do stay informed and read up on the facts.
There are plenty of young people and plenty of older people who face fertility challenges. Besides, didn't you see me mention that my wife was 37 when she gave birth? Thirty years ago, that would have been considered quite late.
Nowadays, with more women focusing on their careers, it's very common to see births occurring between ages 36 and 43 in places like the US.
But let's be real: as women get older, the chances of conceiving naturally do decrease. Your father would likely tell you the same thing.
P.S.
Infertility Human reproductive capacity is lower compared to other species, with roughly 15% of couples facing infertility. Delaying pregnancy and childbirth into later years is becoming a significant issue and a driver of rising infertility rates, as the cumulative effects of various environmental factors can impact reproductive health.
Research suggests that having children before age 30 can actually lower a woman's risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
My wife is 67 now. She had her first child at 26 and her second at 37—which back then was considered quite late.
mellowbadger8, if that's true, why are clinics constantly packed with women struggling to conceive in their later years? Most people end up paying thousands for IVF, not to mention the massive costs involved with surrogacy.
It isn't just about women, either. Men's fertility declines significantly too. They lose that quality much earlier in life. I know there are exceptions, but plenty of studies have shown the benefits of younger mothers.
Medicine has certainly come a long way, though. It’s worth noting that many of those women conceiving in their 40s are using assisted reproductive technology.
There's a lot more to this topic than just a casual comment... the human body really does perform miracles.
Alice said:So how should I cool down my room? Should I just buy an AC unit? 🙂 It doesn't feel cold in the morning. Even when I'm a total zombie and crash at 5 AM, my room still feels fine.
Thanks for the replies. And regarding fever—does it matter if I take my temperature under my arm versus in my mouth (I haven't eaten or drunk anything for a while)? I only know from a CDC poster in my doctor's waiting room that rectal readings can be about half a degree higher.
Alice,
Usually, you shouldn't eat or drink for about 20 minutes before an oral test.
a/ Rectal temperatures are typically 0.3 to 0.6°C higher than oral or ear readings.
b/ Oral and ear temperatures are generally 0.3 to 0.6°C higher than an axillary (armpit) reading.
Everyone is different. For some people, 98.6°F is standard, while for others, 98.6°F might actually be a slight fever.
During the first 7.5 months after Viagra hit the American market, there were 240 reported deaths associated with its use (128 confirmed, 112 unconfirmed). By the 13-month mark, those reports climbed to 522. Research suggests that sildenafil carries a significantly higher mortality rate—between 5.15 and 6.28 times higher—than alprostadil, which is another option used for erectile dysfunction. Early theories regarding these deaths focused on the general frailty of patients dealing with ED and its underlying conditions, the psychological stress of resuming sexual activity, and the pharmacological impact of sildenafil itself. However, the comparison to alprostadil points more directly toward the specific drug effects. In any case, until further research clarifies the risks, caution is essential. It’s vital to consult a doctor, avoid mixing this medication with nitrates, be mindful of pre-existing health issues or age, and always start with the lowest possible dose.
Since everyone seems to be joking about Viagra these days, I think it’s worth taking a moment to actually look at the facts behind the pill. It's probably good to have a little more real knowledge about how it works.
I’ve actually posted in the men's health section before regarding issues with impotence.
It’s not as simple as just popping a pill or grabbing whatever happens to be on the shelf these days. There are way too many products out there now. I wouldn't recommend anyone touching these kinds of products without checking in with a doctor first. We need to find the root cause of the impotence. Sometimes he deals with some physical issues. Sometimes they’re just psychological. Sometimes, there are lingering effects after taking medication. If you’re dealing with more than just a minor issue, start with your primary care physician. Get some blood work done first, and then they can refer you to whichever specialist actually needs to see you.
Whatever you do, don't just pick up pills and start taking them on your own without a doctor's supervision.
Definition. Viagra is the trademarked name for sildenafil citrate. It was the first effective, well-tolerated pill designed to treat erectile dysfunction.
History. Back in 1985, researchers at Pfizer were working on a compound that was actually intended to tackle high blood pressure. It wasn't until they ran human clinical trials that things took an unexpected turn; participants started reporting impressive results regarding erectile function. That discovery shifted the entire focus of the research by 1993. After years of intensive study—which showed the drug worked for about 70% of subjects—it finally cleared regulatory hurdles and hit the market in 1998. The drug was officially approved here in the States back in August 1998. When Viagra first hit the market, it changed everything. Suddenly, there was this massive surge of interest because, up until then, we didn't have a reliable, easy-to-take pill that actually worked well without causing too many issues. It was a total game-changer for treating ED. Viagra is now available in over 90 countries, with more than 400 million tablets sold to date. It’s estimated that about 12 million men have used it. Viagra has a way of opening doors to conversations about sexuality that used to feel off-limits.
The massive success of Viagra has really changed the game. It’s made talking about erectile dysfunction much less awkward, opening up a real dialogue for men everywhere. Men's sexual health used to be a total taboo. Back then, treatments were pretty aggressive and often failed to deliver, which meant fewer than 10% of guys actually bothered seeking medical help. With Viagra being such a massive part of the mainstream conversation these days, people are finally getting honest about sexuality. It’s much more common now for men to just head to the doctor and get help when they run into performance issues.
Packing up. You can find this at most local pharmacies in four-count packs, available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. Just a heads-up: you'll need a prescription from your doctor to get Viagra.
How it works. In biological systems, regulation happens through molecules known as primary and secondary messengers. Within the reproductive system, stimulation triggers the local release of nitric oxide (NO) at nerve endings within the endothelial cells of the erectile tissue (the corpora cavernosa). This nitric oxide is produced via the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which deaminates the amino acid L-arginine to create both NO and citrulline. Once synthesized, the NO exits its original cell and moves into neighboring cells, where it reacts with the iron in the enzyme guanylate cyclase. This process converts GTP into cyclic GMP (3' 5' cGMP), which acts as an intracellular messenger (the second messenger). Cyclic guanosine monophosphate—or cGMP—is really the heavy lifter in this whole process. It acts as a vasodilator, which basically means it relaxes the smooth muscles within the blood vessels of the corpus cavernosum. That relaxation allows blood to flow more freely into the penis, which is what ultimately triggers an erection. To keep everything in balance, an enzyme called phosphodiesterase breaks down the cGMP into an inactive form known as GMP. In healthy men with normal function, this entire cycle works smoothly to manage the process.
Men dealing with erectile dysfunction often struggle because their bodies don't produce enough nitric oxide. This leads to a shortage of cGMP, which gets broken down too quickly by phosphodiesterase (PDE), making it nearly impossible to achieve or maintain an erection. Sildenafil citrate (the active ingredient in Viagra) works by binding to the active site of the phosphodiesterase enzyme, which essentially stops the breakdown of cGMP. This allows the cGMP already present to stay in its active state longer, extending its ability to relax blood vessel muscles. To be clear, the drug doesn't actually create more vasodilators (substances that widen blood vessels); it just makes the ones already there hang around longer. There are nine different types of phosphodiesterase receptors scattered throughout the body. However, the specific type targeted by Viagra—PDE-5—is primarily found in male erectile tissue. That’s exactly why you wouldn't use Viagra to treat angina or heart issues. It widens the blood vessels in the penis, but it doesn't touch the vessels in the heart. For those cardiac arteries, you're looking at PDE-3 receptors instead. PDE-5 receptors also show up in platelets and various muscle tissues, including smooth, skeletal, and visceral muscle. This explains why some people experience side effects like facial flushing or vision changes after taking Viagra.
Because of this mechanism, sildenafil citrate should work for erectile dysfunction regardless of the underlying cause, provided there is enough nitric oxide present. Keep in mind that while Viagra extends the life of cGMP, it can't manufacture it out of thin air. It isn't an aphrodisiac. The most important thing to remember is that the whole biological process starts with nitric oxide production triggered by sexual arousal. In other words, if there isn't any arousal, no compounds are produced for the Viagra to act upon, and the drug won't do anything.
The liver processes sildenafil via cytochrome P450 enzymes. The main byproduct here is N-demethylated sildenafil, which then breaks down further. This byproduct still has an affinity for PDE receptors, though it's about 60% weaker than the original sildenafil. Consequently, this secondary compound accounts for roughly 20% of the drug's overall effect. Most of the medication (about 80%) leaves the body through feces, with the rest exiting through urine.
How Viagra affects blood pressure
In studies with healthy volunteers, a single 100 mg dose of sildenafil caused an average blood pressure drop of about 8.4/5.5 mmHg. This dip was most noticeable within the first two hours of taking the dose. We saw similar patterns with 25, 50, and 100 mg doses, suggesting the effect isn't strictly tied to the dosage or the concentration in the bloodstream. However, if someone takes Viagra alongside nitrates, the drop in blood pressure can be much more significant. Because of this risk, you absolutely shouldn't combine the two. Viagra's impact on vision
After taking a dose of 100 mg or 200 mg, some participants reported temporary vision issues, specifically difficulty distinguishing between certain colors like blue and green.
Side effects of Viagra Like any medication, Viagra comes with its own set of side effects. Common reports include headaches, facial flushing, and stomach upset. Less frequently, people might experience blurred vision, color vision disturbances, or light sensitivity. If an erection lasts longer than four hours after taking the pill, you need to seek medical help immediately. Also, the blood pressure drop mentioned earlier can be dangerous, particularly when Viagra is mixed with nitrates. Viagra and heart patients
Patients managing heart conditions with nitrate prescriptions, such as nitroglycerin, must avoid Viagra. Mixing nitrates and Viagra can trigger a sudden, severe drop in blood pressure that could lead to dizziness, fainting, heart attack, or even a stroke. Nitrates are commonly found in medications used to treat angina, including: - nitroglycerin (available in sprays, creams, patches, tablets, or sublingual forms) - isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate (taken as swallowed, chewed, or dissolving tablets)
In the US, common nitrate-containing medications include brands like Nitrolingual, Isordil, or various formulations of nitrostat. Finally, remember that sexual activity is physical exertion. It's generally not recommended for patients whose health might be compromised by increased physical strain. Studies have looked into how Viagra affects people managing high blood pressure, but the data is a bit messy since patients are often on a cocktail of different medications. Because of that overlap, doctors should still be pretty cautious when prescribing it to those with hypertension.
Using Viagra if you have kidney disease, liver issues, or are over 65 Research shows that in healthy volunteers over 65, blood concentrations of the drug are about 40% higher than in younger men. People with mild kidney impairment seem to process Viagra just fine, similar to healthy adults. However, if there is more significant kidney damage, the body struggles to clear the medication, leading to longer-lasting effects and higher peak levels compared to healthy peers. Those dealing with liver cirrhosis also face slower clearance, which means the drug can build up in their system.
Given these findings, men over 65, as well as those with serious kidney or liver conditions, really ought to talk to their doctor before using Viagra. It’s generally recommended to start with a lower 25 mg dose. nastavak/
How much does every famous actress and model actually eat on their daily diet? She’s got her "special new diet"... we've tried them all, but we always just end up gaining the weight back, usually with a few extra pounds to spare.
Today, I’m going to break down a diet that actually "works" for once. It’s not like you have to survive on nothing but green salads and skip out on meat... right? So, you're saying on the other diet you only eat meat?
There are people who have proven that this works. They eat this way and live their lives without even thinking of it as a "diet." For them, it’s just how they live.
Want to drop a few pounds, tone up some muscle, and still eat whatever you want?The trick is if you eat all that stuff, you just have to work like hell to make up for it. Devil!
Don't believe us? We've got the proof right here. The Keto diet enthusiasts in the rural South have always been heavy users of lard.
In Western nations, obesity rates are hitting alarming levels. In the USA, it’s at 31%, while in Australia, it sits around 20%. As for the kids? That's a whole different story.The Keto diet makes up only about 4% of the population.
A typical Keto breakfast is a stack of pancakes drizzled in sweet honey, followed by some fried sausage and eggs, all rounded off with plenty of buttered toast.
Lunch is a meat dish served with sautéed potatoes, cheese, and beans.
Dinner was more meat, salads, and sauces again. Same old story. Bread and butter. That’s all they wanted—just a super sweet, heavy dessert to wrap things up. People seem to think the Keto diet is the secret to staying in shape.
What's their secret?
In the States, we have a saying for when things require a lot of manual labor: "plenty of elbow grease."
Studies show that people on the Keto diet put in about 42 hours of physical labor a week on the farm, while women are clocking in around 39 hours of manual work.
Just for comparison, if you look at the West—take Australia, for example—the average guy hits the gym five times a week for about 30 minutes a day.
Nutritionists are claiming that modern technology is the real culprit behind the obesity epidemic. The Keto diet crowd does everything without any fancy new techniques, and you can really see that reflected in their success and overall health.
Experts say Americans and Australians are working about two-thirds less than they did a century ago. Between cars, remote controls, and all this tech that keeps shifting how we work, we're basically being engineered to save our energy.
Exercise matters much more when it’s woven into your daily routine rather than just being another trip to Gold's Gym. A lot of people head straight to Gold's Gym, but honestly, simple stuff like walking the dog or washing your car will do more for your health in the long run.
New York Mr. X was without a car for an entire month. He just walked to work and back every single day. His meals stayed exactly the same, too, but he noticed his jeans and belt were getting loose. Apparently, he lost some weight just from the extra steps.
In Australia, the issue isn't just about people being too sedentary; it’s also about the food. We're dealing with way too much processed stuff, loaded with excess salt and sugar.
About 67% of men and 55% of women in the US are dealing with obesity. You should aim for about 7,500 steps a day just to maintain your baseline. Finding an ideal weight is tough when most of us struggle to even hit 2,000 steps a day.
Activity | Kilocalories burned every 10 minutes Hobbies. It’s an interesting topic. I’ve always found that having something to do outside of work keeps things balanced, though I’m rarely as productive at my hobbies as I am at my job. Lately, I've been trying to get back into reading more, but my attention span isn't quite what it used to be. What do you all do to unwind?
Dear Neptune, thanks for the excellent report. Even from halfway across the world, I find this fascinating. Specifically, when I first arrived in Australia, there was no social safety net until 1974. That meant I had private insurance for doctors and hospitals, but I still had to pay out of pocket for a portion of everything.
When I had kidney surgery 32 years ago, the standard recovery was six months. But since there was no paid sick leave back then— it was 1972—I was back at work by my sixth week.
I often think about how I came from a "socialist country" where the government covered medicine, doctors, and even salaries... yet we were all constantly complaining. I remember people saying, "Just give us a 37% raise instead of providing insurance." They were so shortsighted.
I also recall certain laborers who would take sick leave every single summer during harvest season, leaving everyone else to pick up the slack.
I’ll admit, there was a bit of bribery involved too if you wanted to be seen sooner. You'd wait from morning until the next day, shuffling through paperwork just to get a slot with the doctor.
I’m obviously talking about the 1960s; I can't say for sure what things have been like after 1997.
Looking at your list, I can't give a detailed comparison because I don't know exactly what your insurance premiums look like; I'm sure they vary quite a bit. Here, we have Medicare, which covers doctors, hospital stays, and eye exams. However, it doesn't cover physical therapy, dentists, chiropractors, ambulances, psychologists, or many medications that aren't on the approved list. For those, you need extra insurance, which usually only covers about 60% of the bill and has an annual cap on payouts.
It also doesn't cover private hospital insurance.
In retirement, we pay $10–$30 out of pocket depending on the visit. Those who are working usually pay $30–$70.
Waiting times at public hospitals range from three months to a year, and sometimes longer for certain surgeries.
For eye exams, I have to admit it doesn't cost us anything beyond Medicare once a year. We see an optometrist who does a full exam, checks eye pressure, and refers us to specialists if needed, along with the necessary prescription for glasses. Still, those who work end up paying about $20–$30 per visit.
Generally speaking, when we go to private specialists and have to pay the difference, they can charge whatever they want. For example, I waited four months for a neurologist who charged $160 per visit. The government recommendation was a maximum of $90, so I had to pay $80 out of my own pocket.
The Australian government is looking to sign a "trade agreement" with the USA... which suggests things might get even tougher.
People in Germany, Switzerland, and other European countries have no idea how lucky they actually are.
Neptune, thanks for the info. I found it very interesting, and frankly, I'm not sure who has it worse.
I would only add that in Australia, there has always been a huge emphasis on volunteer work and community fundraising for medical equipment. It’s a shame when you see how much politicians spend on things we don't need, like wars and armaments.
Very few people across the globe have thousands of dollars to drop every single week on assisted living costs. I’m not sure where you’re getting this idea of being wealthy, but I know plenty of regular folks—people just like me—who worked hard their entire lives only to end up facing health issues without much of a nest egg. I saw reports in the news recently suggesting the average American retiring at 65 has about $35,000 in savings.
Look, retirement funds aren't what they used to be. That’s why you should listen to the many people who, like me, are just telling the plain truth without bragging about money they don't actually have. Between my wife and me, our social security checks total about $781 every two weeks, which is roughly $20k a year... try trying to survive on that and see how it affects your health. It’s easy to be negative when you can’t even afford a prescription that isn't covered by the government.
There's an old saying that money can't buy health... that's a lie. It buys better care and access to medicine, allowing a person to enjoy their day without constantly worrying about "how will I pay for tomorrow?"
To add some context regarding Southern Australia—it’s a massive area, mostly desert, with a population of about 1.5 million. Of that, 1.05 million live in the capital, Adelaide.
We have about 300 assisted living facilities, housing roughly 13,000 seniors. There simply isn't enough capacity anywhere nearby. I’m looking at an article from the news right now detailing the number of neglected facilities and the lack of proper oversight.
Within a single year, the appeals commission received 1,850 complaints filed by the seniors themselves, their families, and even the staff working in these homes.
The most common grievances involve staffing shortages, where some residents only get a shower once a week because the staff lacks the time to provide adequate care and isn't being paid what they're worth.
One facility actually had a "budgeted" food cost of just $2.50 per patient, per day.
Everyone agrees you can't treat these people like an assembly line in a car factory; they require more attention, more time, and a much more humane approach.
It’s gone quite far when the caregivers themselves are filing complaints with the commission about how poor the working conditions and care standards have become.
How is it that these seniors—just like any other retiree—worked their entire lives paying taxes to support others, only to find there isn't enough money for them when they finally need it? How was it possible back when we were still in the workforce? Clearly, the government has its priorities misplaced. Instead of focusing on elderly care and pensions, funds are being poured into weaponry and the wars we're fighting—wars we weren't even invited to in Afghanistan and Iraq.
My wife and I have lived in a retirement community for seven years now. It’s just seven two-bedroom independent units, all part of the United Church. For the most part, we don't have much outside help, nor do we have a clear plan for where to go if we eventually need to move into a nursing home.
I’m the youngest here at nearly 63, while my wife is 67. Everyone else is between 75 and 90. It was a bit of an adjustment learning to live among much older people—I was only 55 when we moved in—but health issues for both of us made the move necessary. Thankfully, she’s doing better than I am right now.
The people living here are wonderful neighbors, though. We all look out for one another and lend a hand whenever someone needs it. Nobody actually wants to end up in a nursing home. We had one situation where a 76-year-old neighbor had surgery and became immobile. My husband visits her every single day just to spend time with her. That’s been going on for five years now. She’s 81 today, and he manages everything himself—cooking, cleaning, and taking care of both her and himself.
It’s truly sad when you lose your independence too early. You start to feel like a burden to the community, or if you're lucky, just to your partner. I see it happening and I worry about my own future. With modern medical care, people are living 20 to 25 years longer than they were just fifty years ago.
Governments aren't really prepared to support such a massive number of elderly people who require constant care. Living independently is the goal, but even that has its limits.
Many countries will likely have to find new ways to care for this population. These individuals contributed to society throughout their lives when they were able; it isn't their fault that they face these struggles in old age.
One thing I know for sure: what people often call "supporting your parents" is something that simply won't be sustainable in the future.
It’s a heavy thought, worrying about what lies ahead. Regardless of where you live in the world, it helps if you have enough money to afford better care... but even then, it's hard because facilities are always full.
In Australia, things have already started to change, and it’s quite sad. People are being separated by hundreds of miles between where they live and where their partners are placed.
Hypnosis works by inducing trance states—what we call altered states of consciousness. A trance, specifically an alpha state, begins the moment everything happening around you fades into the background, and your focus shifts entirely inward. This can manifest as various thoughts appearing as images, sounds, sensations, emotions, tastes, or even smells. While in this state, a person becomes more receptive to suggestions from a therapist or physician. These suggestions can be direct or indirect, such as through storytelling or metaphors. The point of a story is to allow for indirect identification with a character, whereas metaphors allow the patient’s subconscious to select its own interpretation and message. It is vital to emphasize that hypnosis is strictly for medical purposes; it is never used for manipulation or entertainment, unlike the "stage hypnosis" you see in shows. Hypnosis is only ever performed with the patient's full permission, meaning they must provide voluntary consent for the therapy. People often feel different after a session. Many find themselves reflecting deeply on their personality and their life path. They give themselves permission to discover what they truly want and don't want, choosing their own experiences and letting go of impulses they might otherwise suppress to try something new. In this way, they begin to learn about themselves by allowing communication between the conscious and subconscious mind. Allowing that connection is essentially showing respect for our own human integrity and authenticity.
You're posting in the wrong thread. Everyone here is either planning to quit or has already kicked the habit.
For those looking for a little encouragement regarding how dangerous smoking actually is... Don't beat yourself up if you don't succeed right away. Plenty of people need more time to get there. And if you've already made it? Well, bravo.
I've been smoke-free for over 17 years now. Before that, I smoked for 32 years, averaging about 60 to 80 cigarettes a day. I'm well aware of the damage I did.
Tobacco use claims 660,000 lives across Europe every year.
Roughly 15 percent—that's about 660,000 people within the European Union—die every single year due to smoking. Tackling tobacco use remains one of the biggest hurdles in global health policy, according to US health official Michel Martin. Over the next two decades, the number of people worldwide suffering from or dying due to smoking-related illnesses is expected to double, potentially hitting 9.8 million, warned Dr. Catherine Le Gales-Camus, an assistant director at the World Health Organization. Currently, various governments are passing laws to ban smoking in public spaces, including restaurants, cafes, and even cars. In the US, increasing cigarette taxes might be another way to drive those numbers down.
John Adams4 said:Whether I think it’s a joke or not doesn't really matter. The point is to give this guy who started the thread some actual, useful advice. I’ve said this once before, and I’ll say it again. Run. Get away from everything, leave it all behind, and start over—whether you go solo or find a partner, whatever works for you. You could check into a rehab facility and follow their program, or you could move far away and manage your recovery on your own terms while building a new life in the process. Personally, I’d recommend the second option.
I’m 63 years old now. I was an alcoholic for about ten years, from age 14 or 15 until I was 27. Back then, with our American blue-collar work ethic, people would start drinking at 6:00 AM, sometimes for days on end. It nearly cost me my marriage, because you just can't live with or trust an alcoholic. I started over with my wife in 1969 after moving to Australia. Before we joined up, she made sure I had actually quit back in 1968. I lived in Denver at the time and fought that battle entirely on my own without any outside help.
Alcoholism is no different than using drugs; anyone saying otherwise is mistaken. Most people just hate being called an alcoholic or having to admit it.
Smoking is another massive health risk. So many people die young without ever realizing it was the combination of smoking and alcohol that did them in.
What do I have to do with Narcoticar?
Ever since 1970, I’ve dealt with chronic back pain and had a failed laminectomy at L5/S1. Since Australia didn't have the social safety nets we see here, I had to return to work just six weeks after surgery, even though the standard recovery is usually six months.
For 23 years, I worked through the pain by using prescribed Narcotike. They were fully authorized by the government, so I took whatever was necessary: Codeine, Morphine, whether it was via injection, liquid, or pills. I kept about ten Pethidine injections at home to use whenever I needed them. I also used various medications for Depression that act on the nerves to dull the pain, along with methadone.
I still take those Narcotike today, managing them carefully just so I can function, work, and maintain a normal life. They haven't helped me, and they won't help me now. I had another unsuccessful spinal surgery, and I still can't walk long distances. As I said, even being a carpenter didn't save me.
I take Narcotike alongside combinations of depressants and anxiety tablets—sometimes 25 to 30 pills a day—but I’ve never crossed the line where I can't drive or lose consciousness of my actions.
There is a specific line where someone becomes a true addict—someone who just relaxes into the usage and stops caring about the consequences. Unfortunately, those people are lost causes.
Some people have to take a drug even if it provides very little pain relief; perhaps if they took four times the dose, they'd spiral into the irreversible life of a drug addict.
There are days when I feel like taking all hundred of these pills at once, but the thought of my wife, my sons, and my grandkids gives me the strength to face another day or night. Not to mention, I’m dealing with about ten different serious health issues, including using a CPAP machine for sleep apnea and being a victim of asbestosis.
Everyone has the inner strength to quit—alcohol, nicotine (I quit smoking 60 to 80 cigarettes a day), or drugs. But it depends on individual willpower. Personally, I have to do everything myself without assistance. Some people need support; we are all different. I couldn't handle group therapy; I'm just too much of an individual.
I know what it means to stop using drugs, because I had to taper off various Narcotike and depressants through a pain clinic just so I could transition to new medications. I've been through hell for the last two years, and now I find myself right back where I was two years ago, topped off with two more lumbar surgeries at L4-L5 and L4-L3.
Reading through some of your posts, my advice is simple: don't give up. You haven't hit rock bottom yet, and help is always within reach. Just remember, there’s always someone out there facing an even tougher fight than yours.
Good luck. Drop the stuff you don't actually need. You aren't "sick"—you just got caught up in something that isn't serving you. Don't stall. Stop saying "I'll deal with it tomorrow," because that tomorrow never actually shows up.