Posts by redpilot37

Should I be worried if my iron is sitting right at 30 (ref. 9-30), especially since my white blood cell count is hovering near the top end of the range—still technically normal at 9.3 (ref. 3.4-9.7)? Is it worth getting my iron levels checked again, or should I just leave it alone? Thanks. 🙂

Can anyone tell me a bit about Klonopin? Thanks.

Jason Cox5 said:I’m curious to hear what you guys think about this..
So, I usually have really heavy periods that last about 6 days, on a 30-day cycle. My last one was July 1st.

Back in August, my period was 10 days late.. which was actually the day before I took a pregnancy test and got a positive result.. though the line was super faint. As soon as I saw it, I felt absolutely terrible. I mean, intense stomach cramps, back pain, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, even passing out..
That lasted for four days, then I took another test (which was negative) and went to see my OBGYN. They did an ultrasound and everything looked totally normal.. but since the test came back negative, the doctor concluded it was just a chemical pregnancy.

This month, my period showed up right on time, but it barely lasted two days... and the test was positive again.. once more, just a barely visible line. No pregnancy symptoms at all, no pain, nothing except maybe some lower back aches..

My doctor basically told me there’s no point in coming in because it’s probably just some hormonal imbalance and that could be messing with the test results?!?!
What do you all make of this..?

Check your thyroid and get another beta hCG blood test—that's really all there is to it. A private doctor I saw once mentioned that false positives can happen due to certain thyroid issues... but in the meantime, definitely get that beta hCG checked again. There's always a chance you actually are pregnant, regardless of what the doctor says.

nicegril, don't let them scrub you clean. Just let them look long enough to think you're from another planet. If you don't give them an opening, they can't force their way in. I say keep playing along for a few more days. 🙂
Good luck. 🙂

Ashley Baker17 said:It’s actually wild. You see women who swear they don't want kids getting pregnant from a single glance, right? Then you look at me. I'm perfectly healthy—my OB-GYN even told me straight up that my fertility is through the roof. Well, guess what? I actually wanted a baby. So, I played it smart, timed everything during my fertile window, and even had sex a few extra times when I wasn't peaking, just to be sure. And wouldn't you know it? I woke up this morning to a 😢
. I mean, I know it's technically possible to conceive while you're already pregnant, but honestly? I highly doubt 😢
.

You probably just missed ovulation... don't let it get to you. Don't be disappointed or angry. It'll be a long month.🙂

Does anyone know if there’s an AD they can safely use while breastfeeding?

Olivia Fowler41 said:Hey, my boyfriend and I have been practicing unprotected sex lately, and honestly, I’m spiraling. Is there actually sperm in that "pre-cum" stuff? You know what I mean... I read conflicting things online—some say yes, some say no—and he keeps insisting there's zero chance I'll get pregnant this way. But the paranoia is hitting me hard. Every time my period is late, I totally freak out, and then the stress makes it even later. Not to mention, I swear I feel every single pregnancy symptom every single time.

In my experience, there isn't... but if you don't want to deal with monthly panic attacks and waiting around, just use something: birth control, condoms, whatever...
The only way you're getting pregnant is if he loses control and finishes inside.

urbanskipper4 said:What are you even taking melatonin for?

If it makes you feel any better, I’m dropping a ton of cash every month and a half just to get two big boxes of Anafranil$100. Pfizer doesn't even make it anymore.
And there's some rumor going around that Aurora will be out of stock too, which is going to cost me even more money.$33.

I thought it was for waking up in the middle of the night, but I've been doing better lately.
I eventually gave up on it. Another doctor told me it wasn't the best move—said it's more for older folks (heard that one before). Instead, I'm going to try some Valerian from Speciassol. It's herbal-based and, as far as I know, the strongest thing on the market... says 250 mg per tablet.
I saw online that Now Foods makes 500 mg Valerian Root capsules... but I have no idea if you can actually find those in the States or if they're just an import thing. Anyone know?

Stopped by my primary care doctor today. What really threw me off was when I asked about melatonin; she basically told me to just check with a neurologist instead of giving me her take😕. Not that I mind, but I’m heading to a specialist anyway since I dealt with epilepsy back when I was a kid.

Also, that Pfizer Circadin has to be bought with a private prescription out of pocket,$52...even though it's technically on the formulary, you end up paying full price regardless.
I honestly don't get it. Is melatonin really that sketchy? My doctor wouldn't even touch the subject—just gave me this look like, "You're too young for stuff like that..."
So yeah, I've given up on it for now.

Timothy Wood38 said:I honestly think even a general practitioner could prescribe it. As far as I'm concerned? It’s easily the most useless thing I've ever wasted my money on. $53As far as I know, it isn't on any of those insurance coverage lists, so you'll likely end up paying full price out of pocket. And if my memory serves me right, that specific medication is mostly intended for the geriatric population anyway. Honestly, you’re probably better off just picking up some 3 mg melatonin as a supplement. It makes much more sense.

I read somewhere that people were still paying for it back in 2007 $53... it's hard to believe it's still around, especially being listed as 😲. Unbelievable.🤣
Yeah, I saw some stuff online about Cal and Solaray making it with certain supplements. It's definitely smarter to try it this way; it's way cheaper.

Hey, quick question about melatonin—specifically the 2 mg Circadin from Pfizer. I’ve been reading that it requires a prescription, but there isn't much info out there. Does anyone know who actually handles the prescribing? Like, can a regular GP write it, or does it have to be a psychiatrist? Also, any idea what the co-pay looks like with a prescription? Thanks.🙂

Terry Ramos60 said:I didn't mean anything negative by it; when I used the word "ashamed," I was thinking more along the lines of, "What kind of parent am I if my child's teacher has to lend them money?" It’s that feeling of, "How could I possibly be so unprepared that I don't even have a few extra $6.75 to spare?"
I am certainly not suggesting you *should* feel that way, nor am I saying you shouldn't take pride in managing with what you have, but isn't it true that these emotions are often much stronger than our logic? Isn't it just an irrational impulse that almost any parent in America would experience in such a situation?
If it were me, wouldn't I be the first one feeling embarrassed? Wouldn't I feel a sense of shame and heartache if my own child came home and told me their teacher had to lend them $6.75 just so they could eat at McDonald's alongside everyone else in the class?

And then, perhaps, in an attempt to soothe that stinging feeling, wouldn't I start questioning whether the entire class even needed to go to McDonald's in the first place?

That’s usually how our heads work. But there's no need to freak out. There's no point hunting for someone to blame. Whether it's on us or the teacher... it's done. Just make sure it doesn't happen again. Monday is probably the best day to clear things up. You definitely need to talk it through with your kid, though—they're old enough to understand. It's not the end of the world

Anthony Gray said:

I suppose we’re moving on to part two of this little saga, aren't we? It feels like we’ve been circling the drain of this particular topic for ages—though, in my defense, I find the nuances worth the extra time. There's something about the way these things unfold that reminds me of those slow-burn legal dramas you see on cable—not the flashy, high-octane stuff, but the kind where everyone sits around a mahogany table in D.C. pretending they aren't completely losing their minds. You think you've grasped the core of the issue, and then—bam—another layer of complexity reveals itself, much like peeling an onion, only with more frustration and fewer tears. Anyway, let's dive back in. I'm curious to see if anyone else's perspective has shifted since our last round of speculation. I tend to be a bit cautious with my conclusions—better to be measured than to jump the gun and look foolish later—but I can't help but feel we're missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. Or perhaps we're just looking at the wrong puzzle altogether? It's a possibility. A distinct, nagging possibility. Anthony Gray says:
It’s truly remarkable how you can walk into a conversation looking for a bit of guidance or perhaps just a second opinion, only to end up caught in a total whirlwind of conflicting perspectives—a complete linguistic storm, if you will. But, I suppose that's the nature of the beast. We have to embrace the chaos and respect the diversity of thought, don't we?😬
It’s certainly not our plane—not by a long shot—but I’ve decided to accept her exactly as she is. Honestly, the woman lets the first graders play games like seeing who can stretch their bubblegum the furthest between their fingers... then there's the dancing on the desks (I could go on and on about that, but I’m terrified I'll end up being summoned to the Principal's office, so let's just leave it at that). At the end of the day, everyone has their flaws—and their virtues, too.

It’s honestly wild how parents just salivate over threads like this—it’s like they’re all lining up to collectively throw stones at teachers. I mean, really. If I follow the logic here, I must be some kind of total failure because I didn't spend my youth backpacking through Europe, and I certainly don't own some high-end MacBook that I "borrowed" from the school library back in the day. Apparently, without those little luxuries, I'm just fundamentally incompetent. It’s quite a ridiculous way to look at things, isn't it?
Laura, look—I know you already paid the money back, but honestly? Handling all that "communication" with the teacher through the kid... I really think you should have just gone in and had a face-to-face talk with her yourself.

Agreed. I don't use my kid as a middleman for anything.

It’s wild how you can ask for a few pointers or an opinion and end up getting absolutely roasted... but hey, I guess we should respect everyone's right to a different perspective.😬
Our school isn't exactly top-tier, but I’ve learned to take it as it is. For instance, they let first graders play games where they just stretch rubber bands between their fingers, or kids end up dancing on top of their desks. I could go on, but honestly, I don't want to wind up in a psychiatric ward in Seattle, so I'll stop there. Everyone has their flaws and their strengths.

Terry Ramos60 said:

Is there anything more profoundly enchanting than witnessing the delicate, fluttering grace of a butterfly dancing through a sun-drenched meadow? One cannot help but wonder if such fragile beauty isn't a small, moving miracle sent to remind us of the splendor inherent in our natural world! Does it not stir the very soul to see such vibrant colors swirling amidst the wildflowers? kaže:
Is there anything truly more rewarding than the calling of an educator? To wake up each morning knowing that you have the profound opportunity to shape the minds of the next generation—is that not the most fulfilling sensation imaginable? It is simply wonderful to be a teacher!🙂

Is it not truly heartbreaking to observe how little appreciation is afforded to our educators in this day and age? One cannot help but wonder, as we witness the shifting tides of social values, why the very individuals who shape the minds of our future generations are treated with such profound indifference! Is it not a tragedy that those dedicated professionals, who pour their entire hearts into the classrooms of our great nation, find themselves facing such a staggering lack of respect from the public?
But absolutely not!
How can one possibly expect children to offer respect when they aren't even receiving it from their own parents? Is it not a fundamental truth that respect is a mirror, reflecting exactly what is modeled within the walls of the home? If the foundation of authority is built upon dismissal rather than dignity, how can we wonder why the younger generation struggles to honor those in charge?

Have you ever seen that classic cartoon floating around the internet? You know the one! It depicts a scene from about thirty years ago where a child comes home with failing grades, and the parent immediately begins to scold the kid. But then, you look at how much everything has shifted in modern America, and the joke flips entirely on its head! Nowadays, in that exact same situation, it’s the parent who is frantically demanding answers from the teacher! Isn't it truly fascinating how much our societal dynamics have transformed over the decades?

Look, life is complicated... easy to judge from the sidelines, but wait until we find ourselves in that exact spot.
I don't even think $7.00 is the issue here. It's more about a lack of principle, like "the teacher should have done this" or "that."
We're all different, but you really need to stand up for your kid.

The other day my little one comes home with a classmate. She's totally worked up because her mom isn't home again—happened three or four times now.
I told her, "Let's call your mom and tell her you're at our place." I called, and she tells me😛she said she told her mom she'd be waiting at home.😕
So I ask: does the kid even have a key? She says no.🙄
I mean, I get it. How is a child supposed to wait outside without a key?
She just says: she doesn't want to carry a key.😲
I was like, what? She *won't*? Honestly, I can't wrap my head around it. Some mothers just can't sit down and actually talk to their own children.
The mom expects the kid to come to me, rather than the kid just standing there waiting for a mother who went off somewhere without checking if anyone was home. The kid knows exactly when they're supposed to be back, only to find a locked door. People do all sorts of things.☕
P.S. In this case, the mom is actually home, unemployed, and it's just her and the kid.

Just level the playing field so they blend in with everyone else. A kid shouldn't stand out; avoiding that social friction is the priority if you want to prevent trauma.☕
How can you not?🙄

They could have just hit up a McDonald's after school instead of bringing it into the building. Maybe that was part of the "educational" aspect—showing kids where modern "healthy food" actually comes from.🤔

Say whatever you want, but they could have taken the kids somewhere else. There are plenty of healthier, cheaper, or even free options out there. Honestly, it would have been better if she just grabbed some crayons and a stack of paper and had them draw nature instead.

wiredwalker14 said:Of course they get a commission—whether it's for workbooks, Scholastic materials, or any other publisher... I actually know of a case at my school where a Teacher organizing a summer camp trip let her preschooler grandson go for free, and she told us herself. Besides, I used to work at a publishing house, so I'm not just guessing. What a teacher decides to do with that commission is entirely up to them. Whether they buy extra supplies for a student whose family is struggling or keep it for themselves... that's their call. But I also know that publishers always provide an extra copy or two, specifically to help out the kids who might not have the funds.

Must be nice being a Teacher.🙂
It's been a while... honestly, she should have just asked the students if they wanted McDonald's and organized it that way.☕

Kimberly Robinson2 said:It’s not even Monday yet! ☕

**

Like I said before, we used to go to the movies, the theater, or take school trips back in the day—and there wasn't a single McDonald's or anything like it in sight. But we had community service days, which is just unthinkable nowadays. During the school year, I think we had about four of those sessions. We'd be out cleaning up local parks, working in the woods, doing reforestation, or tidying up around the school grounds. Once we hit the upper grades, we were even doing actual labor for a local metal fabrication shop—welding, drilling, bending iron... you name it. And yeah, we had to lug our own shovels around, and I had 3.7 miles. all the way to school! Did anyone ever stop to ask us if we felt like doing it? Not a chance. You either showed up, or you took an unexcused absence.

Fast forward to today, and suddenly a school trip isn't complete unless it includes a mandatory pit stop at McDonald's. 🙂

It all sounds lovely on paper... but when I compare my upbringing to how my kids are being raised, I can only say one thing: they might be more advanced academically—because, Lord knows, the curriculum is massive now—but they lack any real work ethic. They don't respect what their elders do for them; they don't grasp the weight of it. Plus, they're being insulated from that reality entirely. That’s not good for the long run, because while they're just kids right now, one day they'll be adults, and parents themselves.

I agree. Times have changed, and people have too. Instead of focusing on character, everyone is chasing prestige. Everyone is just scrambling for status. I hear you.
Polazeci from my own perspective, I wouldn't expect a teacher to give me a gift for a $3 charge, but I also wouldn't expect them to casually swing by McDonald's whenever they feel like it... we have access to the student directories and teachers put all notifications in there, especially if money is involved.

Chloe Moore65 said:Whenever I'm shipping something, I always tell them skip the home delivery. I'd rather just have it held at the FedEx office and pay to pick it up myself. $6.00
Delivery isn't organized on my end. Whoever sends me stuff just pays the shipping. $6.00

Melissa Morgan77 said:If you’re in one of the cities that offers home delivery, just make sure to select the option to pick up your package at the FedEx office instead. Otherwise, they'll just drop it off right at your door. $33 Grab two kilos of Costa. $6.75And the recipient still has to pay at the door upon delivery. $1.75.

But she isn't giving me any say in the matter. She claims her computer just spits out certain cities as having delivery available, and that's that.
I just called the customer service line at USPS. They told me it’s basically a matter of choice—you don't actually have to pay if you don't want to. Apparently, there might just be a glitch in the app used at that local branch.
I don't know who's pulling the strings or who's responsible for this mess, but one thing is certain: I'm done paying up.
If she keeps insisting that’s how her computer acts, I’ll just tell her to go ask the head of FedEx if she’s still confused.
Look, I’m not looking for a fight, but we can't keep going like this.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Appreciate it. 🙂

Olivia Brown7 said:Exactly. Parents are often the last people willing to drop a dime or even five minutes of their time for their kids.
Kids are happiest when they aren't in school, even if they're just sitting in a field staring at wildflowers.
But we aren't even debating trips to castles or caves here; we're talking about McDonald's. What category does that fall into?
A few years back, a colleague nearly lost it because her daughter came home with a note from her teacher asking for money for a field trip to the Turbo grinder. Very educational, wasn't it?

Teachers should stick to the curriculum. Why are some taking kids to Turbo grinders or McDonald's? It’s clearly just to keep them happy, not because it fits the lesson plan. Visiting museums, theaters, or touring cities within the County belongs in a completely different category.