Posts by Nicholas Wright56

Jeffrey Palmer7 said:Hello everyone, I have a bit of a situation I’d like to run by you... I’ve been on birth control pills (specifically Lindynette 20) for just over two years now, and I usually take them at noon. For the longest time, my withdrawal bleeding would start right around the 24th day of my cycle—usually late Friday night, around midnight. That was my consistent routine. However, over the last three or four cycles, things have shifted. The bleeding now starts about twelve hours later, typically around noon on Saturday instead. On top of that, whereas my period used to wrap up by day 28, it’s now lasting a day or two longer than it used to. I'm feeling quite confused by this sudden shift in timing and would be so grateful if someone could help me understand why this might be happening.

Maybe you might be under some stress lately... hm... I haven't actually started taking them yet myself, though... I guess I wonder if you've noticed any issues with cellulite or changes in your appetite?
Personally, I’m quite against using those pills, so I went ahead and got a prescription for something else that’s just sitting there... right now, if anything comes up—like needing a condom or if my partner isn't feeling it—then we just don't have sex at all.😂
Even though I suppose the pressure is probably much lower when you are on the pill... those side effects just seem to be absolutely overwhelming for me...

Hey everyone, I was just wondering, what kind of experiences have you all had with Lindinete tablets?

Hi there... I was wondering about something... During the winter, my cycle tends to stretch out quite a bit, sometimes lasting up to 30 days... but lately, things have shifted; last month it arrived on day 23, and this month it came on day 20. It seems to happen right alongside these bouts of illness—this time it felt more like a heavy flu, with sneezing, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and even aching in my bones and muscles... My period is also extremely heavy, and I’ve been dealing with nosebleeds as well... Honestly, my periods take such a toll on me every single time... I suppose I'm wondering what the best course of action might be—should I look into specific medical tests, focus on boosting my immune system, or something else entirely? I guess I'd love to hear if anyone else has had similar experiences.

My periods really do knock me sideways every time... To give some context, about 8 or 9 years ago, I was carrying about 30 to 35 pounds more than I am now... so while I did lose weight, it wasn't all at once... but these recent changes are starting to make me feel a little worried.

Grace Lewis6 said:I'm a little out of the loop here, but I wouldn't take that "after 35" rule too literally...
If there's a history of breast disease in your family, you really should get one sooner...
That's just my humble opinion (plus, my PCP didn't give me any trouble with the referral)...

It's the same deal with testing your hormone levels—my primary care doctor can't do that, only an OBGYN...

If you go to your OBGYN and they see something like cysts on the ultrasound and want you to test your hormones, then the specialist handles the referral...

But if you're already seeing an endocrinologist who sends you for those tests, then your primary care doctor provides the referral...

edit: Angela Wright beat me to it while I was typing...😁

I feel like I've been running in circles between doctors for the last few years... it's been quite the saga. I had some gynecological issues, so I decided to see a private specialist on my own. That specialist suggested I get my hormone levels checked, but since those tests can be so pricey, I went back to my primary care doctor—only to be told she couldn't write the referral because it falls under the OBGYN's scope. So, I had to head back to my regular gynecologist; there was actually a bit of a scene at the front desk involving my sister and some tears after I was initially turned away, but luckily, the doctor eventually saw me and provided the paperwork.

As for the breast ultrasound... hmm, I can't quite recall if I mentioned to her that my grandmother had health struggles and passed away from cancer, or how my mom had to have her uterus and ovaries removed.

But I suppose that's a bit off-topic...

In any case, I feel like I've spent so much time jumping back and forth pointlessly; I guess it really is important to be very clearly directed by your medical team.

Angela Wright said:An OBGYN isn't exactly the authority on early detection and breast cancer prevention. Ultrasounds are recommended starting in your 20s, and you should be getting one every single year! Just get them done and have your GP write the referrals for it.

As for the hormone testing... honestly, I don't see why a family practitioner wouldn't be able to handle that. 🤷I just don't get it.

I haven't actually had an ultrasound on my breasts yet, as my GP never really mentioned it to me... and I'll be turning 34 soon, I guess. My health has felt quite poor lately—well, that's just how I've been feeling.

And I think I might switch OB-GYNs as soon as I'm able to, anyway.

Angela Wright said:That's just how the system works here.
Whether it's a dentist, a gynecologist, or a family practitioner, they all fall under primary care. By any shred of common sense, it should make sense for a dentist to write referrals for dental work, a gynecologist for OBGYN issues, and for everything else, you go to your GP.

The only thing that really confused me was when I saw my gynecologist regarding a breast ultrasound—I honestly thought that would fall under gynecology, but she mentioned that the referral actually has to come from a primary care doctor, and she also suggested it's best to have one for the first time once you're over 35.

It’s probably the same way for hormone testing; I don't think a general practitioner can order those, so it would likely have to be a specialist like a gynecologist...

So, I guess that's just how the whole process functions.

Angela Wright said:In this country, your primary care physician handles all the referrals for specialist exams, like if you need to see someone at a dental school clinic. If you just want a second opinion from another dentist, it usually doesn't require much more than an exam and maybe some X-rays, which you probably already have.
Michael Bennett recently ran into issues because his regular doctor was on vacation and the covering physician was only seeing emergencies. He just walked into a different dentist's office, they gave him a standard exam, and told him what they thought. No referral required.

I suppose I once tried to bluff my way through an appointment using Medicare, but they just kept making excuses about being too busy or having no availability, so nothing ever came of it. Of course, if you go to a private clinic, they can handle just about anything, though you do have to pay out of pocket, I guess.

Regarding specialist referrals—it seems that I have to get my referral for the periodontist directly from my primary dentist rather than my general practitioner, at least that is how it works in my experience.
Back when I was carrying a bit of extra weight—honestly, what was I thinking?—my primary care doctor gave me a referral to see a surgeon, but then I ran into a bit of a snag at the clinic. They wouldn't actually schedule me because they claimed the paperwork wasn't quite right; apparently, I needed to see an internist first so they could properly evaluate my next steps. I guess I just spent a good deal of time bouncing around between different appointments and getting various tests done before I finally managed to secure that consultation with the surgeon.

Angela Wright said:In this country, your primary care physician handles all the referrals for specialist exams, like if you need to see someone at a dental school clinic. If you just want a second opinion from another dentist, it usually doesn't require much more than an exam and maybe some X-rays, which you probably already have.
Michael Bennett recently ran into issues because his regular doctor was on vacation and the covering physician was only seeing emergencies. He just walked into a different dentist's office, they gave him a standard exam, and told him what they thought. No referral required.

I suppose everyone’s experience varies depending on their specific healthcare providers... In my case, my dentist referred me directly to a periodontist rather than just a general practitioner. I once tried to see a specialist through Medicare by acting a bit hurried—you know, pretending I was in a massive rush—but that didn't quite work out as I had hoped. It seems like you can get whatever you need through private practice, though of course, that comes with the usual out-of-pocket costs.

I suppose I was sent on quite a bit of a wild goose chase regarding my referrals initially. My primary care physician provided me with a referral for a surgeon, but they wouldn't actually let me schedule an appointment because they felt she couldn't pinpoint the exact issue without an internist's input first. So, I had to get a referral for an internist instead, and after bouncing around between different offices for a while, I finally managed to see the surgeon. I guess I definitely took the long way around getting there!

Nicholas Wright56 said:So, are you absolutely certain about that?
I mean, if we're talking about gynecological issues—I have my preferred specialist, but I might want to get a Second opinion from someone working over at the University Hospital. In that specific scenario, would my regular specialist provide the referral for that second opinion, or would it still need to come from my primary care doctor?

I actually remember a situation from maybe two years ago where someone was going to the University Hospital for gynecological exams instead of seeing their own specialist, yet it was that very same specialist who was providing all the referrals for the hospital visits.

It also confused me quite a bit when I asked my gynecologist about getting an ultrasound for my breasts; she mentioned that the referral has to come from my primary care doctor rather than from her.

Just to make sure I've summarized this correctly—if I were looking to get a second opinion from a different dentist, I would need to request that referral from my current dentist rather than my primary care doctor... that is what I was trying to clarify regarding dental services.

vividsailor7 said:It's your primary care physician.

So, are you absolutely certain about that?
I mean, if we're talking about gynecological issues—I have my preferred specialist, but I might want to get a Second opinion from someone working over at the University Hospital. In that specific scenario, would my regular specialist provide the referral for that second opinion, or would it still need to come from my primary care doctor?

I actually remember a situation from maybe two years ago where someone was going to the University Hospital for gynecological exams instead of seeing their own specialist, yet it was that very same specialist who was providing all the referrals for the hospital visits.

It also confused me quite a bit when I asked my gynecologist about getting an ultrasound for my breasts; she mentioned that the referral has to come from my primary care doctor rather than from her.

vividsailor7 said:You absolutely have the right to a Second opinion. You can see another doctor through Medicare or go private; it's entirely your call.

I guess I am just wondering who would actually provide the referral if I wanted to see someone else through Medicare... since I pay for supplemental insurance and I'm currently between jobs, paying out-of-pocket for private specialists might be a bit much for me right now.

I suppose I also wasn't aware that I had the right to request a second opinion, so I ended up paying for private care instead.
Now I find myself wondering about the next steps: I actually switched dentists because, thanks to my previous one, I've been dealing with decayed teeth for about a year and a half (which were clearly visible under the filling in last January's X-ray, though I'm not quite sure if she simply missed them or chose not to notice). Anyway, my new dentist just opened up those teeth and the decay has spread quite extensively... she's worried it might lead to tooth necrosis. I still have about five dark fillings left, and the gums around one specific tooth are incredibly painful, sensitive, and receding; I’d really like her to check under that one too, just in case there's decay hiding underneath.
I am hopeful that I can coordinate this plan with her, as I truly want to get these teeth sorted out once and for all... I've always been diligent about dental visits, so it feels a bit overwhelming to realize how many teeth need work now.
A few days ago, since these repairs are going to take some time, I suggested to her that maybe we could take another set of X-rays just to make sure everything looks okay, but she immediately shook her head and said it wasn't necessary, explaining that sometimes decay doesn't show up clearly on an image.
On top of that, I'm struggling with periodontitis, my teeth are generally aching, and I feel like my whole body is just completely out of sync. I haven't been feeling well at all... I've gone through quite a few tests, but nothing concrete has come back yet, though my cholesterol is high and I think my prolactin levels are elevated, which probably all points toward stress.

So, what's weighing on my mind right now is whether I can officially seek a second opinion, and if so, who handles the referral for that? Would it be my primary care physician, or perhaps the specific dentist I've chosen?

dustynomad8 said:If my thyroid results come back positive... is that actually bad? I mean, how much am I going to have to deal with this? My mom is already 20 years into this and she’s on those pills constantly. I honestly don't know anything about it. I've been scrolling through the forums, but I haven't found a straight answer on what's actually coming my way 🙄
Sorry for bugging you all with these stupid questions, but I'm starting to panic 😢

I wouldn't worry too much ahead of time... things will likely work themselves out... best of luck and hang in there 🙂

I suppose I’ll jump in here and share my thoughts... I recently decided to switch gynecologists, so we shall see how things progress from here. Just once, my previous doctor ran a swab because she suspected Chlamydia—given the constant discharge and itching—but the results actually came back negative. Her nurse then asked me, quite pointedly, why I was even bothering since my tests were clear and I technically have my annual checkup covered under Medicare, even though my symptoms haven't changed one bit. I ended up seeking private care instead, though I haven't quite made a final decision on that yet.

It feels a bit disheartening, honestly, because the wait times everywhere seem to be incredibly long. Even with my dentist, I’m never quite sure if I’ve successfully booked an appointment; I often find myself waiting for nearly an hour, and I feel like I don't always receive much dedicated attention. It's a similar story with my primary care physician—unless it's an absolute emergency, you have to schedule ahead and then just wait indefinitely.

I do pay for supplemental insurance, mostly because ever since I turned 30, it seems like everything has started to feel a little more fragile. I’ve only visited a private specialist once or twice, and I think I'll only make that choice if I truly run out of patience or if something becomes genuinely urgent.

dustynomad8 said:I haven't touched antibiotics in at least two years... I only take painkillers right before my period starts...
My cycle is totally regular... weight-wise? I'm pretty average. A little soft in some spots, but nothing crazy. I gain weight easily, but I can drop it just as fast. My mom and I have never really had a real talk about this stuff—she's super private, and honestly, so am I. But I’ll have to bring it up with her eventually; she'll know what to do. I just wanted to see what you guys think first. Am I just overthinking this and creating problems where there aren't any? Anyway, I'll probably jump into the main thread soon. 😢(thanks for all the replies :**

hey there

I am 33 years old. My hair is thinning quite a bit, I deal with sweating... and I get these frequent hot and cold flashes. My breasts are incredibly sore, and I have this white discharge (when I apply pressure)... over the last year and a half, I've gone through a mountain of tests... mostly because I'm also dealing with bloating, cramps, a racing heart, a bit of extra hair growth along my jawline, looking quite pale, and people tell me I've lost a significant amount of weight (I went from about 160 lbs down to 125 lbs—though that happened over a few years and I've been holding steady at this weight for about two years now)... my thyroid seems fine (though an aunt of mine has issues with hers), and my bloodwork showed low iron and slightly elevated cholesterol; I couldn't bring myself to do a gastroscopy because that procedure looks absolutely dreaded... basically, my gynecologist found that I have a yeast infection—those can cause so much trouble if they spread... and my cortisol levels were high, which is essentially the stress hormone...

My primary care physician says it’s all just stress... apparently, when you're stressed, you get anxious, suffer from insomnia, and your immune system drops—which then leads to yeast infections and either an accelerated or slowed metabolism...

If someone in your family has thyroid issues, it might be best to have yours checked first... if the thyroid isn't the culprit, maybe try getting your hormones monitored—I had four different female hormones tested, and you really have to be careful about which day of your cycle you schedule them... for the thyroid, I think you'd just ask your GP for a referral, but for those hormones, go to the gynecologist... in my opinion, seeing the gynecologist is a must.

I was wondering if anyone might have a recommendation for a reliable dentist covered by Medicare in the Seattle or Santa Barbara areas? Also, I’m a bit confused about how the coverage works—if I switched my OBGYN earlier this year, does that affect my ability to see a new dentist, or do I potentially have to wait a full year before making another change?
Every time I visit my current dentist, I end up waiting at least an hour even when I have a scheduled appointment... I’ve been dealing with some pain in certain teeth and my gums lately, though I haven't made much of a fuss about it since I'm already managing periodontal disease. There was also one instance where I really insisted on getting an X-ray because I felt something was off, even though he seemed pretty skeptical since everything looked perfectly fine on the scan. It turns out that once he removed the filling, there was actually significant decay hiding underneath... which then led to some needle treatments. Even the dentist seemed surprised because the X-ray hadn't caught it at all. I suppose I'm just worried that the same thing might be happening with a few of my other teeth, and I'd love to get more imaging done, but I'm nervous that the X-rays might just miss the problem again, too.