The discomfort you’re experiencing often stems from how difficult it can be for the uterine lining to shed, particularly if there are cysts involved or if those menstrual cycles tend to run long, causing the lining to become excessively thick. It’s much like a heavy frost clinging to a windshield; it just doesn't want to let go. When someone uses birth control pills, it essentially introduces a sense of rhythm to the whole process, preventing that overgrowth of the lining because everything sheds more predictably and efficiently. Of course, one shouldn't overlook the possibility of uterine polyps, which can cause significant pain, so it’s always wise to have those addressed if they exist. Though, truth be told, sometimes you reach a point where nothing seems to offer relief except for pharmaceutical intervention...
It seems to worsen as I get older. It’s truly incredible how much it fluctuates. There have even been instances where the sensation was so overwhelming that it resulted in me being physically ill, vomiting from the sheer intensity of the discomfort...
@COW, one really ought to avoid having blood drawn while on their period, simply because the results of a complete blood count won't provide an accurate reflection of one's actual health status...
Vegetarian diets are just far too flimsy for me...
Unfortunately, nothing seems to touch the pain for me, not even Voltaren or Ketoral... I’ve gone as far as taking handfuls of Voltaren at once—and still, absolutely nothing. It was as if the medicine simply refused to acknowledge my existence. Doctors always tell you that everyone’s biochemistry is unique, suggesting we all have our own specific "key" for certain types of pain, but I feel like I'm holding a broken key.
Is there anything out there comparable to Plivadon? Or perhaps those Knavon tablets—those truly are little miracles in pill form...
Does anyone have any recommendations for stronger, more effective tablets for menstrual cramps that won't absolutely wreck my stomach?
Ketoral feels like nothing to me, and Voltaren is just as weak. Plivadon actually worked quite well, but man, it really sits heavy on the stomach. I’ve tried those Knavon suppositories, which are incredibly effective, but they're just not very practical to use when you're out and about.
Does anyone have an idea? My doctor actually asked me what I wanted to try next. Something like this🙂
Ladies, I have to say, that balloon concept sounds absolutely fantastic! Now, I should clarify that I’m not speaking from my own personal experience, but rather from the account of a close friend who underwent the procedure at a clinic out in the Vineyard area—she had hers in for about six months. The results were quite striking; she managed to shed 23 pounds! She actually had a little more to go, but she couldn't go back for another procedure immediately because, as I understand it, the stomach needs some downtime to recover, even though she still had another 7 or 8 pounds left to lose... anyway, she successfully navigated the process. She did mention, however, that the most daunting part wasn't physical, but psychological—that lingering anxiety once the balloon is removed, fearing the weight might just creep back on. She found that it genuinely helped her feel satiated much earlier, which essentially acted as a tool to help her stick to her nutritional goals... though, naturally, nothing works without actual dietary discipline. But honestly, keep going, ladies! It seems like an ideal method for those in a "lighter" category—those who don't necessarily need to drop 110 pounds or more, but perhaps just want to shed 40 to 60.
How long can one reasonably stay on birth control pills? A year? Two? Three? Five? And when the time comes to switch things up, how long does that mandatory "break" actually need to be?
On another note, because of my higher body weight, I’m told I can’t use those "light" formulations—at least, that was the verdict from my OB-GYN. My hormone levels have been shifting quite a bit lately; after hitting a total catastrophe a few years back, things have settled into something more "normal," which will obviously play a major role in deciding which contraceptive makes the cut.
It’s pretty clear you can't just stick with the exact same pill for your entire life; you eventually have to rotate them. Personally, I’ve never stayed on one brand for an extended period, so I’m genuinely curious about what options are out there and whether I’ll actually find something that works for me—specifically something that doesn't leave me bleeding constantly or feeling like I could eat a whole steak in one sitting. Let's see if such a miracle actually exists.🙂
@tour, you certainly can, though if you aren't planning on picking this back up in about two months, I wouldn't suggest hitting the pause button just yet. If you’re telling me you intend to carry on in a month or two, then breaking the momentum might be a mistake.
On another note, I caught some news recently suggesting that Pfizer had to pull several million boxes of birth control off the market because, due to a manufacturing error, they simply weren't effective. It apparently involved a handful of different brands, but I was just listening to the radio at the time, so I didn't catch the specific names. It seems to be happening here, much like it does in the States. They’re bracing for lawsuits 🙂 whereas I’m just expecting a sudden surge in toddlers 😁
Everything stays documented within her private files, as even private practitioners maintain their own sort of archive. Of course, she isn't going to just hand that over to anyone; I don't believe there is any link to the Social Security Administration in that regard, and besides, the law protects you under physician-patient privilege. Theoretically, no one will ever find out unless they actually break into her office and physically steal your file from a drawer or hack into her computer.
Go, without question. She is strictly prohibited from disclosing that information to anyone—not even if your employer were practically begging her and somehow managed to find out! The police are the only ones who could potentially access such records, and even then, only with a valid court order. And honestly, they’d have to actually know where you are first, which would require them to be clairvoyant or have someone tip them off.
Just go as soon as you can and schedule an appointment. There is absolutely no reason to hesitate, and once someone objective offers you a bit of sensible advice, you’ll likely feel much better and start seeing things from a different perspective. Go immediately; there is no reason to keep suffering like this!
I am not entirely certain of the specific circumstances surrounding your upcoming procedure or your motivations for undergoing it, but I certainly feel compelled to offer you some encouragement. Please rest assured that everything will turn out fine; it is truly not as daunting as it might seem. A member of my own family had to undergo a small bowel resection, which unfortunately necessitated the placement of an ostomy bag, though that was quite an extreme case. While I cannot speak to the specifics of what your surgeons intend to do, if the plan is simply to excise a portion and suture the area, you should find the outcome quite acceptable. You will likely experience some weight loss; initially, your diet will be strictly limited to broths and soups, so you can realistically expect to drop about 15 to 20 pounds within those first two months—good grief... perhaps you ought to try gaining a little weight beforehand, haha. Once the incision is made, it isn't exactly a walk in the park; lying down becomes rather uncomfortable. After about two or three weeks, you might find it beneficial to wear one of those abdominal binders, the kind you find at a CVS or Walgreens, just to assist you when sitting up or standing. Do be careful not to lift anything heavy for at least six weeks; you wouldn't want to risk developing a hernia, as that would necessitate yet another surgery and all that hassle. $33 If there is anything else sensible you wish to discuss, please feel free to send me a private message. 🙂
You’re doing an absolutely marvelous job! It seems you have this way of making progress feel effortless—this idea of taking things "one small step at a time," even though if one were to actually tally up everything you’ve accomplished, it certainly wouldn't be considered small by any reasonable standard. Eventually, there comes a morning where you simply wake up and realize the transformation is complete: you aren't fueling your body with junk anymore, your fitness routine has become second nature, you've devoured a mountain of literature, and you've cultivated a circle of truly meaningful relationships. All of this stems from what initially seemed like such trivial, almost inconsequential choices. I found myself particularly nodding in agreement with your insight regarding Facebook; despite what their glossy marketing campaigns might suggest about "connecting the world," it often serves more as a tool for isolation than true connection. Kudos to you, and please, do keep us posted on any further evolutions!
It essentially boils down to an inferiority complex—this pervasive sense that they don't actually deserve anything better than damaged goods. There is a certain element of playing the "savior" mixed with a touch of masochism, but beneath those two layers lies the same underlying issue: a deep-seated feeling of unworthiness.
I’ve certainly observed this pattern myself. The more I attempt to vindicate my patients, the more they seem to cling to me. It feels quite pathological, and honestly, it serves as a grim reminder that my initial decision to stop defending them was the right call 🙂 regardless of whether we are dealing with a man or a woman 🙂
My mother used to resort to constant nagging as her primary method of maintaining control over my life.
I have come to believe there are essentially two distinct categories of food-based compulsions: there are those driven by genuine kindness, intended solely to comfort or delight you, and then there are the others—those rooted in subconscious malice and serves as mere instruments of psychological manipulation. But, well...
As long as we remain under the thumb of psychopaths in power—a situation that has persisted for years now—there is simply no hope for things to improve.
I am quite curious to hear about your various experiences regarding the process of "securing" a referral for a PET/CT scan.
How did the ordeal unfold for you? Was the process relatively seamless, or did you encounter significant hurdles? What kind of reasoning was provided to you? Did you feel as though they were intentionally stalling or being evasive? I am truly interested in understanding what the reality of the situation looks like here in the States when dealing with such matters. I assume there are waiting lists, of course, but the actual mechanics of the interaction interest me deeply...
To illustrate my point, I shall recount my own recent encounter with Dr. Smith.🙂 When I inquired about obtaining a PET/CT, she informed me quite curtly that her department had absolutely nothing to do with such things and suggested I look into a private facility like Quest Diagnostics instead. When I pointed out that, regardless, it is her role to issue the referral, she seemed momentarily stumped, before pivoting to insist that the machine itself is incredibly hazardous—suggesting that the radiation levels are so high they could actually trigger new cancers, and therefore, one really ought to avoid it altogether.🙂🙂🙂🙂 I found myself somewhat bewildered by the sheer absurdity of the response, so I simply stopped asking questions at that point.🙂🙂
Furthermore, I recently overheard a similar conversation in the hallway; a colleague of the aforementioned clinically depressed doctor was attempting to persuade a patient that a standard head CT was unnecessary, arguing that even a regular CT scan involves far too much radiation and isn't particularly advisable.
Honestly, there are moments when I find myself wondering if I’ve wandered onto a movie set or stumbled into some sort of dark comedy. Seriously? A woman suffering from melanoma, complaining of daily headaches, and this physician refuses to order a CT scan under the guise that the radiation is just too dangerous? Part of me still wants to believe it was a hidden camera prank, because the alternative—that this is genuine medical advice—is almost too much to stomach. It is frankly embarrassing that an institution of this caliber is considered a premier referral center.
What has been your experience? Is it possible for the specialists at the melanoma center over in Beverly Hills to actually issue referrals for these types of scans, or is that off the table? In my estimation, the attitude toward patients is nothing short of appalling.
My heart truly goes out to everyone sharing their losses here. I have walked that same dark path myself, and if there is anything that has brought me a sense of inner peace after such profound suffering, it is the quiet certainty that I 1. gave every ounce of strength I possessed, far exceeding what I thought was even possible 2. dedicated every precious moment and all the love my heart could hold to someone who was drifting away 3. found the grace to say goodbye when they reached out to ask for it.
Because I was living in a different state at the time, my greatest anxiety was the fear that I wouldn't be by their side during those final breaths. But what I can tell you with absolute conviction is that people seem to know instinctively when those moments arrive; they sense it, and suddenly, those final twenty-four hours become a sacred window spent entirely with their loved ones. I believe the most vital thing one can do in such a season is simply to hold the hand of the person you love while they venture into that unknown territory. Believe me, there is so much about this existence we don't understand, and these souls choose this specific path for a reason. Perhaps I am wandering off on a tangent here, but I felt compelled to leave this message behind. As strange as it may sound to those reading this, my own soul reached out to me from the other side, and since then, I have carried a deep sense of peace and love within me. I know they love me, just as I love them. No matter how heavy the burden feels right now, nothing in this life happens by mere accident; stay strong and remain brave, for this is the journey your soul chose before it ever stepped foot into this world.
He, he, he, thank you so much 🙂 I was already anticipating being torn to shreds by everyone because of how I presented my thoughts 🙂 But what can I say? This is just who I am, and honestly, I’ve been giving some thought to starting my own Association... though I haven't quite figured out the where, the how, or the why just yet. I have this nagging fear that I might end up doing more harm than good for all of you, hahahahaha. Honestly, forget it. My ambitions have shifted toward becoming the Secretary of Health or perhaps even running a major hospital system 🙂 I hear there is a postgraduate program for that kind of thing in San Francisco; I could always enroll and then proceed to commit professional suicide over at Beverly Hills. If I were to implement an old-school, rigid Austro-Canadian management model there, they wouldn't know what hit them 🙂 I am genuinely considering it, I just haven't settled on a specific direction yet 🙂
Let me attempt to recount my experience at the melanoma treatment facility in Beverly Hills. Beyond the fact that everyone there seems perpetually irritated, the interpersonal dynamics are a total catastrophe—honestly, I would lose my mind if I were forced to work there. It feels as though every single staff member is merely looking for an exit strategy, attempting to shuffle their workload onto someone else. As for the patient? One wonders if anyone even recognizes the concept of a patient anymore, or why they should bother being inconvenienced by one in the first place. 🙂 Everything you might have read about them in the papers is an understatement; the reality is significantly more grim 🙂
I was under the care of Dr. Smith at the melanoma center, and I certainly would not recommend her. To clarify, I wasn't seeing an oncologist; she is a dermatologist, and she failed to refer me to an oncologist at all, even when I explicitly asked if such a referral was necessary. Of course, it was required 🙂, but I only discovered this when a surgeon lost his temper because I hadn't been cleared by oncology 🙂
To provide just one illustrative detail from this ordeal: she barely even looked at me. She spent the entire time examining a resident (who is actually lovely), yet she keeps the dermatoscope tucked away in her own pocket rather than letting the resident use it. In my estimation, if a resident is conducting the examination, the tool should be made available to them, rather than the specialist hoarding it in a pocket while the trainee struggles. Whatever.
To make a long story short, we completed all the preliminary tests, though they bypassed anything substantial like a CT scan in favor of much more rudimentary ultrasounds and other basic diagnostics. I waited an eternity—a full month, in fact—for my marker results. Eventually, once they admitted me for inpatient treatment to run everything (which was fine), I followed the nurse's instructions to head home. When I asked the nurse—who is truly wonderful—about my results, she simply said they were "okay." I asked, quite pointedly, what she meant by "okay," and how she could possibly expect me to just go home without a physician interpreting the findings. The nurse replied, "Not a chance, honey!" So there I was, standing at the door the next day feeling utterly stranded. I finally caught up with the doctor and requested that we sit down to discuss my case and interpret the results. Her response? She told me I wasn't her patient. I insisted that I was. She doubled down, claiming I wasn't. I argued, "Ma'am, I am! You discharged me from the hospital yesterday and examined me just three days ago!" She maintained her stance until she demanded to see the paperwork. Once she saw her own official stamp on the documents, I must admit, I detected a flicker of genuine embarrassment in her eyes.
And that is supposed to be a physician? Someone who sends a person facing a malignant diagnosis home via a nurse, makes no effort to explain the findings, and then denies ever having met the patient when they ask for a consultation? Don't get me wrong, regardless of whatever salary they are paying her, it is far too much; she hasn't earned it. If anyone believes she is a sound choice, feel free to seek her out, but I cannot, in good conscience, recommend her. I am posting this deliberately, knowing that she—or perhaps her nursing staff—could easily track this thread down, as I am certain she remembers this particular humiliation quite vividly. In that case, I say: save your breath! 🙂 And if she fancies filing a lawsuit over what she considers baseless slander, well, we shall see who possesses the superior legal counsel.
Incidentally, I recently noticed a report mentioning that there is a private dermatology clinic or practice owned by Smith in New York City. I suspect it belongs to her or perhaps a family member, and I imagine if I had gone there, she would have remembered not just my surname, but my given name as well. 🙂