Posts by Tyler Morgan3

Lisa Baker6 said:Can an employer actually "punish" an employee—like issuing a formal warning or even firing them—if they end up having to quarantine because of contact outside of work? You know, things like private gatherings or traveling, especially if the job can't be done remotely?

Nah, not directly. But let’s be real—they can always find some other excuse to come after you. It won't be about the exposure or the quarantine itself, but they'll find something else to use against you! 😛

Terry Young4 said:I swear, it feels like I swallowed a giant snake—it’s just this constant writhing and pounding all down my left side, and it’s been going on for three years now. Last year, I went through the whole gauntlet: abdominal X-rays, a gastroscopy, plus all the blood, urine, and stool tests you can imagine. The X-ray showed I’ve got scoliosis on my left side, and my neck? Honestly, it feels like it’s about to snap. Then the gastroscopy pointed to reactive gastritis, and my bloodwork showed high histamine levels from some kind of bloat issue... I am literally dying every single day. I was supposed to get a colonoscopy done too, but I totally chickened out and missed the appointment. After doing all those tests, all they gave me was Esomeprazole for my stomach. I took it for a whole year and it didn't do squat—if anything, I felt worse, so I eventually just gave up on the doctors altogether. Sometimes the pain shoots right into my left shoulder blade, other times it migrates down into my stomach, or settles deep in my lower left abdomen. It’s always worst when I’m lying down; it actually wakes me up from sleep. There isn't a single position where I feel okay. Honestly, there have been moments where the pain was so intense I just wanted it all to end. I’m at a total loss—I don't even know what to stop eating anymore because everything seems to trigger it. And my stomach looks so weird, it just gets incredibly bloated. I’ve been a bit on the heavier side since I was a kid, but I have never had a belly as swollen and huge as this one right now.

Try cutting carbs completely for a month and then let us know if anything changes...😉

So, I’ve been using this Nano Oxi Plus, and honestly, it’s pretty decent.
It tracks your oxygen levels and heart rate, but you really have to get the placement right—like, you gotta rub your finger first to make sure it’s warm, or just stick it on your earlobe.

I mean, sure, but unless you're currently fighting for your life with some massive pneumonia, I don't see why anyone would even bother tracking their saturation, right?

Casey Cook10 said:When the situation is this straightforward, I'd say there's really no reason for it to take forever.

Does anyone know if there are any lawyers out there who actually work on contingency—you know, they only get paid after the verdict hits? And more importantly, how the hell do I even find one?

Jessica James4 said:To be honest, my primary concern is the chlorine content in drinking water; I simply picked this up from a Pool Gloria label because they claim it is scientifically proven.
I suffer from Crohn's disease, which is essentially an autoimmune response where my body attacks itself. The most frustrating part of the whole ordeal is the sheer uncertainty—science hasn't pinpointed the exact trigger that causes my immune system to turn on my own intestines. Consequently, we are left with millions of theories, probably 99% of which are complete nonsense. When you're lost in that kind of thicket of misinformation, trying to identify the actual catalyst for an autoimmune reaction feels nearly impossible. The most credible research suggests it likely involves the gut microbiome, and personally, my symptoms flared up right after a course of antibiotics... Which brings us back to the water containing chlorine—water that I am required to drink, consuming at least a liter every single day. There is a debate: some argue that this level of chlorine cannot possibly kill off any significant bacteria in the gut, while others maintain there is a distinct possibility that it can. For a healthy individual, this is a triviality; even if the chlorine did wipe out some microbes, the body would replenish them almost instantly. However, my gut is compromised, so even if that water kills a mere 0.001% of my intestinal bacteria, it could be problematic. Ultimately, my doctors tell me the water is fine to drink, yet they remain equally silent on the cause of my condition because they simply don't know. Still, on the other hand, it seems somewhat foolish to act the fool by constantly buying bottled water or expensive filtration systems if there truly is no measurable difference compared to what comes out of the tap.

I get it. If you're dealing with UC or Crohn, you're basically on a mission to find every possible trigger out there. Look, an autoimmune gut disease like that isn't just about having too many "bad" bacteria or not enough "good" ones—though, sure, your gut flora might play a small role in how flared up things feel right now. The truth is, nobody actually knows what triggers autoimmune diseases. Not even the doctors at the Mayo Clinic really have all the answers.
Drinking water in the States is subject to some pretty strict regulations and limits on certain parameters, but let’s be real: those legal limits aren't a magic shield. Just because something is "within the allowable range" doesn't mean it won't mess with your system, especially if you're immunocompromised or on specific meds.
If you're currently in remission, maybe try an elimination diet? Like, pull one food group out at a time for a few weeks and see how you feel—obviously, check with your doctor first. You could even try testing different water sources, though personally, I'm pretty skeptical that water is the main culprit here.
Now, if we're talking IBS, that's a whole different beast. Usually, the big issues there are stress, specific foods, and just being too sedentary. But hey, the elimination method is still worth a shot to see if anything sticks.
P.S. You can also get a full gut microbiome test done. That way, they can see if certain bacteria are overrepresented and target them specifically with antibiotics to get everything back in balance.

Jessica James4 said:Is there any actual possibility that chlorine in the water supply could kill off some of the beneficial bacteria in our gut? I realize we’re talking about trace amounts here, and for most healthy people, it probably isn't an issue at all. However, since I deal with my own ongoing digestive issues, I can't help but wonder if this might actually be something dangerous for me specifically.

I happened to come across this in Gloria, for example. 🙂 So, how are we supposed to distinguish truth from fiction here? We’re talking about swimming pools, sure, but it ultimately comes down to the water, the chlorine levels, and those pesky bacteria living in our gut...

It has come to my attention that the chlorine used in pool maintenance might be doing more than just sanitizing the water. According to research out of the University of Minnesota, there is a possibility that this chemical can wipe out the beneficial bacteria within the digestive system, which could potentially lead to various gastrointestinal issues. It is certainly an interesting, if somewhat unsettling, correlation to consider.

Let me try to break this down simply. There are tons of different types of chlorine and its compounds out there, and yeah, they can be super bad for you. It all boils down to how much of that stuff actually gets absorbed into your system. You’ve got three main ways it happens: swallowing it, breathing it in, or soaking it through your skin. The real question is: exactly how much of a specific chlorine form (usually residual chlorine) ends up inside you if, say, you gulp down a bit of pool water or breathe in some vapor during the day?
I mean, think about it. How much transdermal absorption are we looking at if you're hanging out in a chlorinated pool all day? How much chlorine gas did you inhale? How much chlorine is even in the pool to begin with, and what's your individual exposure level? Then you've got the rate of absorption once it's in your body, how fast it actually nukes bacteria, and what chemical state the chlorine needs to be in to even do that...
It’s a massive, complicated mess with a million moving parts. But look, that’s why they test residual chlorine levels at pools. They take samples, check the concentration, and there are strict legal limits set by health department regulations for different uses. Those safety numbers aren't just pulled out of thin air; they come from calculating all those variables I just mentioned.

Honestly, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around someone soaking in a pool and absorbing enough chlorine to wreck their gut. Like, how much water would you have to swallow or how much steam would you have to inhale to hit that level? If anything, the chlorine would hit your respiratory system first...

So, what’s everyone’s experience been like with those isolation payouts? Like, if you had to quarantine, how much did they actually drop into your account for a two-week stretch?

Rebecca Reed3 said:You know that feeling when a long-time, close friend decides they're done with you? You can see them pulling away for a while, sensing things just aren't the same anymore... And then, even though you both know it's over, they actually agree to grab coffee or catch a movie one last time. You don't bring up the tension during the hangout, so you just talk normally—though they’re pretty quiet. But during that final coffee, the way they look at you is just... different. It was so uncomfortable seeing that expression that I found myself wondering why they even showed up if they didn't want to be friends anymore. I didn't say anything, though. And they didn't complain about anything either.

It’s happened to me twice now. Twice with different friends. The look was identical. The first time was back in high school, and the second was maybe five or six years ago. After that last coffee, we stopped talking completely. I ran into the most recent one in town a year or two later, and there it was again. That same look. It’s a terrible feeling. Every time it happens, I wonder what that look actually means. Obviously, it's negative, but I want to know the specifics. Is it an "I can't stand looking at you" look? Or more like an "you're driving me crazy" vibe? Something else entirely?

I'm not sure if the reasons behind the fallout matter. For the high school friend, she told me after one summer that she had changed so much, and I could tell immediately how she treated me differently. She had a whole new crowd, too.

The friend in her thirties was someone I’d known my entire life. She started nitpicking my lateness—she's definitely the type who loses it over people being late. One time, I was running late for a show at the theater, and she wouldn't even talk to me when I arrived; she was absolutely livid. But that was already near the end of our friendship. I think she mostly held it against me for not grabbing coffee with her when she was going through a breakup and really needed to vent. If I had known that was the reason, I would have been there in a heartbeat.

Maybe some of you have experienced this during a breakup with a partner. Honestly, that look felt even worse than the actual breakup itself. 🤦 I tried searching online for "that look," but nothing came up. I can't quite describe it perfectly, but since two different people gave me the exact same "final look," I assume it's a universal thing and you'll know exactly what I mean. Edit: I’d say it’s similar to the look of pure contempt.

So, what I really want to ask is: Have you ever dealt with this? And what is the person thinking when they look at you like that? I assume they're thinking, "I don't want to be around you anymore, but here we are."

Rebecca Reed3 said:It’s a heavy feeling. At first, it just sucks because you can't wrap your head around the fact that a long-time friend is walking away—and I mean a true best friend, the kind who only confides in me and goes on all those trips with me... but eventually, you just come to terms with it.

One thing I've noticed about myself lately is just how little drive I have for socializing. Honestly, I love that I don't feel pressured to grab coffee with someone every couple of weeks. 🤦

Back when I used to go out for coffee—which usually meant a long stroll through town and two to four hours of chatting—I actually enjoyed it. It wasn't like I was being a grouch or anything... it's just that now, I really don't feel like getting ready and heading out. I've genuinely thrived in my own company these last few years; I haven't missed the social scene at all.

I truly love my solo time: reading, movies, skincare, working out, good food, shopping.

On the flip side, it isn't great for my future. You need people you can lean on, and right now, I'm not even looking for a partner. 🤦

You basically answered your own question here...
So, what's the actual goal? You want friends, but you don't want to put any effort into them because you can't be bothered. You love being alone, and you'd only show up for coffee if there was some juicy drama involved (good grief, imagine having a friend like that). You want people in your corner for support, but you aren't interested in being that support system for them when things get heavy... like that whole thing before her breakup...
It's all over the place. You need to decide if you actually want people in your life because you care about them and want to invest time and energy, or if you just want a "backup crew" without doing any of the work. The other person—whether a friend or a partner—is definitely going to feel that imbalance. Honestly, I'm surprised it lasted this long.☕

Look, if you’re feeling sleepy, just pass out again, simple as that. But if you aren't? Then don't... nothing to it.☕

Honestly, sounds like textbook hemorrhoids to me—you know, the whole deal with the pain, stinging, itching, bleeding, and feeling swollen... plus that mucus in your stool is probably just from your lower colon getting irritated while it tries to heal itself.
You really ought to go see a proctologist at least, if not a full-on GI specialist to get the whole picture checked out.

Look, this stuff is definitely treatable, so there's zero reason to just sit there and suffer through it for no reason...

Justin Moore4 said:I’m not even sure if anyone here has dealt with something like this, which is why I’m posting under this weird title. Exactly six months ago—back in February—I started getting these intense pains in my neck and shoulders, along with this tingling sensation in my hands. Right when the pain kicked in, I went in for X-rays and blood work, but everything came back pretty much normal, aside from some minor issues with my head posture. Based on those results, I was sent to a physical therapist, and following their recommendation, I did ten sessions at a private clinic back in May, followed by another ten sessions at the local hospital in June. The problem is, the neck and shoulder pain hasn't budged. I ended up seeing a neurologist, and once again, more blood tests showed absolutely nothing specific. The neck and shoulder stuff actually let up a little bit at the start of August, but I've still got this dull, nagging ache on my right side, right at the bottom of my shoulder blade. To make matters worse, toward the end of June, I started feeling pain in my legs—mostly in my calves and knees—and lately, it’s become almost unbearable. Even OTC painkillers aren't doing a damn thing. The weather changes aren't helping either; whenever the wind picks up, my shoulders cramp up even harder because they're constantly tense, which just makes the leg pain worse. And as soon as the wind starts blowing, my joints, especially in my hands, start acting up too. I have an MRI scheduled for my head and neck soon, and honestly, I'm praying it finally gives me some real answers because I've been stuck in this limbo for six months now. What I really want to know is: has anyone else gone through something similar? Could this be a sign of something serious? I'm terrified it might be something like cancer, metastases, or some kind of underlying muscular or skeletal disease. Does anyone have any advice? Any thoughts? THANKS

Honestly, to me, this sounds more like a circulation issue. You should probably go see a neurologist...

So my portable charger finally showed up because I couldn't get my app to work on my iPhone, right? And then they go and ship me a charger that isn't even compatible with an iPhone!! Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh or just start crying at this point...

For some people, we're talking up to a full year! It honestly just depends on what they actually did, how their skin holds up, age and all that... It’s super hit-or-miss from person to person, but you usually start seeing results after just a few months. After that, you can always go back in for those tiny little touch-ups if you want...

Man, you'd probably outrun me just by farting! :-))))

So, I finally went out and got this tattoo right above my ankle (Roby&Senf) and honestly? I’m obsessed. I knew the vibe I wanted, but I didn't have a single sketch or reference photo to my name. They ended up sketching the design themselves and it blew my mind. The actual tattooing part took maybe 45 minutes—super quick. Everything was spotless and sterile too, which is a huge deal for me. Since I got it done in the middle of a heatwave, I only kept the wrap on until I walked through my front door, then just let it breathe. I was religiously slathering on Neosporin for about ten days straight. And guess what? Zero scabs, zero bleeding, not even a tiny itch. Nothing. Also, if you're worried about the pain—don't be. It hurts way less than getting waxed in that area, seriously. Plus, I just love how this little piece carries a meaning that's strictly between me and the universe...
If you're thinking about getting inked but haven't a clue what you want or where to put it, do yourself a favor and at least come up with a rough idea before hitting the shop. Like, think about size, style, color... all that stuff. Once you actually walk into a studio, they'll show you a mountain of different designs and patterns, and you'll end up feeling totally overwhelmed trying to choose. You can always find something on Pinterest or draw something yourself, but honestly, knowing exactly what you want and where it goes makes the whole thing so much smoother. And please, for the love of god, follow their aftercare instructions. Everyone heals differently, but listen to the pros. Peace out...

Susan Harris4 said:Exactly.

What exactly are you basing that on? 🍿

feralwolf24 said:What I'm trying to get at is that if we keep acting the way we do, future levels of chlorine and other purification methods will definitely start affecting our health.

For those wondering what kind of behavior I mean:
It's dumping old scrap metal from useless washing machines, cars, tires, and all sorts of junk in the woods just because paying for proper disposal at a local landfill is too "expensive." Sure, it’s cheaper than doing the right thing, even if it means leaving a mess for our kids to deal with later.

It’s also that mindset where every cigarette butt, scrap of paper, or unwanted stray animal gets tossed into rivers and streams—basically treating them like future corpses—which then becomes the perfect breeding ground for pests that we eventually try to kill off with massive doses of chlorine.

We all have those habits where we tell ourselves, "My little contribution won't make a difference," or "One little wrapper won't ruin the whole town." Then we'll see each other again in a year or five when we reopen this topic, and I might not be able to tell you that the chlorine levels are safe, or worse, that the chemical reactions caused by the dirty water itself are becoming dangerous.
Stay healthy, everyone (my friend from Florida says we shouldn't say "cheers," but rather "stay healthy," because you can technically "cheers" while on life support!)

🙂

This one is gold!!!

🙂

Timothy Vaughn44 said:Is this thread about the water disinfection process or chlorine in the water and health?? 🤔 🙄

Look, we basically settled this back on the second post already—the amount of chlorine left over from the disinfection process doesn't have ABSOLUTELY ZERO impact on human health... at least nothing negative, anyway. ☕

That last reply was a massive wall of text, but hey, at least now I finally see what kind of mindset we're dealing with here!
Anyway, this whole thing is drifting way off topic, so I'll just say peace out to everyone!
Let’s just all get back to worrying about the water disinfection process together and things will be fine. Honestly, you can learn anything if you just have the guts to admit when you don't know something.

Susan Harris4 said:???

Look, this whole business regarding the pipeline is far more complex than you're making it out to be; why don't you try asking any major utility company? (If you happen to know a large-scale US municipality, feel free to name one.)

And which one would you even recommend to me?😉

Also, what are you on about? You honestly think water just sits perfectly still in those pipes without any issues? Or do you really believe chlorine isn't a solid indicator of how much water's being used? (Not that you'd know, since you totally butchered those numbers earlier).🥳