Hello everyone, I’ve been taking Diane for about two and a half years now due to some issues with my cycle, and I just went in for some follow-up blood work. To be honest, looking at these results is a bit overwhelming... I don't really understand what I'm looking at, so I was wondering if I might have to stop taking my pills altogether. Since I don't have a gynecologist right now, I haven't had anyone to ask, so I really need to find a specialist soon.
Those are the values that aren't quite within the normal range... and frankly, I'm a bit lost on what several of these actually signify. I'm mainly wondering who I should consult regarding potential anticoagulation therapy—should I start with my primary care physician or go straight to an OB-GYN? I have to admit, seeing that mention of anticoagulation and the cholesterol levels has left me feeling quite anxious 😢 Does this mean I need to start a specific diet? What does this all imply? And is it possible that my cholesterol has climbed because of the birth control pills, considering it used to be perfectly fine? Thank you so much for any help you can give 😢
I was wondering if anyone could clarify whether it’s actually possible to walk into a private facility like Stele—or any similar outpatient clinic—and just request specific lab work on my own terms? I’m looking to get some routine testing done, specifically things like cholesterol levels and liver function tests, but I’d much rather just show up and pay out of pocket without having to wait for a primary care physician to write me a formal referral first. Does anyone have experience navigating this kind of thing? Thanks so much. 🙂
I actually just sat down and revisited this one after more than a decade, and honestly, it took me right back to being a kid watching it on the living room sofa with my parents and my brother. I clearly remember certain scenes being genuinely terrifying to me back then, which is funny looking back. It was such a lovely trip down memory lane, though. Just a beautiful film 😍
Could someone please help me out... I’ve been on Diane for two and a half years now, strictly to deal with acne issues. My usual prescription for birth control has expired—apparently, the pharmacist won't dispense it anymore because they say I need a fresh one, since this current paperwork dates all the way back to 2010. To make matters more complicated, I don't have a regular gynecologist at the moment because my mother moved away, so I'm having to find a new doctor and I don't really have anyone else to ask. I was wondering if it's okay to just stop taking the pills I use for my skin (which, by the way, has actually cleared up quite nicely)? Can I just quit on my own, or is it absolutely necessary to consult with a gynecologist or a dermatologist first? One more question... I know I should be monitoring my lab work and keeping an eye on my liver function because of the medication. Does anyone happen to know which specific tests I should have done? Thanks 🙂
I honestly think they’re a fantastic band—their discography is just incredible—but I actually caught them live this past summer at Sziget in Budapest, and let me tell you, it was quite an experience. It’s just like someone else mentioned on here, the lead singer has this incredibly raspy, raw vocal style, and unfortunately, they weren't really hitting their mark during the set. I didn't even get to stay for the whole performance because I had to dash off to catch another stage, but I'm genuinely bummed I missed out on hearing Savior. It’s such a beautiful track. 😍
These cookies are absolutely divine (with chocolate, naturally), and honestly, I could probably spend my entire life snacking on them day and night... if only they weren't such a splurge 😢
Henry Brown2 said:Does anyone know the going rate for private allergy testing here in New York City?
For instance, maybe something like Stela Medical Clinic in a Suburban Neighborhood has a price list here:
I finally went in for testing this year after years of just suffering through it, only to find out that my allergies are actually quite severe. It seems like everything triggers me, especially pollen. Lately, I’ve been relying on Xyzal tablets and Avamys nasal spray. I tend to take the pills specifically on those days when the symptoms feel more intense, and honestly, they seem to do the trick, whereas the nasal spray hasn't been quite as effective for me—mostly because my nose is constantly running, so I’m always wiping it, which feels like I'm just washing the medicine away. Then again, perhaps it actually is working, because aside from this past Sunday, I’ve actually felt pretty decent these last few days. 🙂
I finally got my allergy testing results back; my pulmonologist sent me over to the local Health Department to get those specific tests done. So, here is what I ended up with:
IgE 343 H RAST g 6 (Timothy grass) concentration 98.0 H class +5 H RAST w 6 (Mugwort) concentration 3.40 H class +2 H RAST t 3 (Birch) concentration 1.75 H class +2 H RAST w 1 (Ragweed) concentration 4.26 H class +3 H
I am assuming the "H" stands for high, because looking at these, everything seems to be way outside the normal range, quite significantly too. It looks like I’m incredibly allergic to several things, though I must admit I don't fully grasp the technical nuances of what these numbers actually imply for my day-to-day life 😕 and to make matters slightly more frustrating, my follow-up appointment at the hospital isn't scheduled for another two weeks.
Hi there, I’m currently on the hunt for a dentist—man or woman, doesn't matter really—located in Washington, D.C. My main requirement is that they accept Medicare, and more importantly, I need someone who is actually skilled and has a very gentle touch when it comes to dental work (😁). To be perfectly honest, I have quite a few cavities that need addressing, and since my pain tolerance is notoriously low, I am desperately seeking someone who can handle everything as painless as possible. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer! 🙂
Does anyone happen to have a recommendation for an eye clinic or maybe some kind of outpatient facility where I could go for a vision checkup free of charge? Ideally somewhere in the Washington, D.C. area... and obviously, I’m looking for a place with actual expertise, where people have had genuinely positive experiences with the doctors and the staff. thanks 🙂
So, I ended up snapping this photo just because I was feeling incredibly bored one afternoon... I’ve been hitting up Pilates classes and doing some core, leg, and glute circuits for about a month now. My legs are definitely my biggest struggle, though; even though I’m putting in the work at the studio, I tend to be pretty lazy when it comes to doing anything extra at home, and I certainly haven't committed to any strict diets or anything like that. I'll admit, I have a massive chocolate addiction 😢
Brenda Allen said:Have you given them a shot? I’ll be the first to admit I’ve never been much of a proponent when it comes to medication, but if I may share my own little journey, I found that once I started my antidepressants, those sudden panic attacks just... vanished. And honestly, I wasn't even seeing a therapist while I was taking them—not that ten minutes a month counts as actual psychotherapy, mind you. The pills didn't magically fix every single struggle in my life, but they certainly took care of the panic. I suppose there isn't much point in being overly dismissive of them.
I haven't personally tried medication, though I have gone through psychotherapy, and I can say for myself that it made a real difference. Of course, we all react differently, and everyone's path is uniquely their own. 🙂
Medication isn't going to fundamentally change your situation; it really just serves to dull the edges of what you're feeling. If you actually want to address the root of things, you'd be much better off looking into Psychology. 🙂
Hmm... I’ve been doing a bit of thinking lately, and I thought I might share some theory with you all. My therapist and I have actually been working on my assertiveness recently—she gave me some handouts and worksheets, including some quite interesting notes on how to properly offer criticism. I truly hope there's some value in this for everyone else here. 🙂
At its core, criticism is simply a comment that highlights the negative aspects of a person, their behavior, or perhaps even their character. We can generally categorize it into two types: - constructive criticism, which frames a negative observation within a positive context, offered with the genuine intention of improving the relationship - destructive criticism, which is instead filled with accusatory undertones and is intended solely to hurt the other person
So, how does one go about criticizing effectively? Before you offer any critique, - make sure you actually have the right to criticize; if you aren't prepared to offer praise as well, you probably shouldn't be critiquing at all - take a moment to check your own level of responsibility in the situation - ensure the critique focuses on specific, current behaviors rather than dredging up things from the distant past - please, don't attempt to criticize if you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed or agitated - choose a time and a location that makes sense both mentally and physically for everyone involved
When delivering the critique itself, - start by acknowledging something positive about the person's behavior or attitude - clearly describe the specific behavior you would like to see changed - explain the negative emotion that this behavior triggers within you - state precisely what kind of behavior you are looking for instead - highlight the positive consequences that will follow once the behavior changes - steer clear of sweeping generalizations, threats, accusations, sarcasm, or demeaning comparisons - try not to be overly insistent or pushy
After the critique has been delivered, - remain available and stay open to cooperation - continue the dialogue until you reach a solution that feels acceptable to both parties - encourage any positive shifts in behavior and be sure to express gratitude when they happen
This is actually my very first time posting on this subforum, though I’ve been quietly lurking and reading all your posts for a while now 👍 I was looking back at some photos from last year—honestly, there are just way too many of them floating around—and I realized I've put on a little bit of weight recently.
So, just to give you some context, I’m about 5'4" and weighing in at 117 pounds; does that sound like I'm carrying too much extra weight?
If there’s no help available right now, then I suppose you just have to grit your teeth and try to make it through this next year. Once you hit high school, you’ll meet a whole new crowd, and things will start looking up, I promise.😉 Oh, sure, if you say so. Everything feels ten times heavier when you're only fourteen.
I used to deal with these absolutely dreadful pains, but honestly, ever since I started taking birth control pills, they’ve subsided so much that I feel incredibly relieved! Now, I am under no illusions—I know this relief won't necessarily last forever—but for the time being, I am truly savoring it. Usually, the first day is the hardest, and the second day still carries some weight, but it’s become a manageable kind of discomfort, the sort of thing you can actually soothe away with a hot cup of tea. That’s what does it for me. I’ll brew myself a pot of tea, very hot, and sip it while it's practically steaming, and after a little while, the pain just seems to ebb away. It eventually creeps back in, of course, but then I just go back to my tea and tackle it all over again... though, in all fairness, the tea probably wouldn't be nearly as effective if the pain hadn't already lessened thanks to the medication. Still, it feels like something worth trying. In the past, I would usually just take two Voltaren tablets or an effervescent Aspirin, and that would typically do the trick.
It’s decent enough stuff if you just want something playing in the background while you work, or maybe even when you're feeling a bit low and need a certain kind of mood for some of the tracks. 😁 HWY👍
Brandon Evans10 said:What do I drink? Man, that’s a loaded question—it really depends on the mood, you know? Like, if I’m just hanging out at home after a long day of work—maybe staring at a screen too long—I’ll usually just grab a cold beer. Nothing fancy, maybe a Budweiser or something similar from the local grocery store. It’s just easy. But then again, if I'm feeling a bit more "extra"—you know what I mean?—I might pour myself a glass of decent bourbon. There’s something about that smooth, smoky kick that just hits different when you're winding down. Honestly, though, most days I'm probably just hovering around coffee—lots and lots of coffee—because, well, life happens! What about you? What's your go-to?
Honestly, I’ve been noticing this lately—my hair is thinning out way more than it used to, but at the same time, it’s getting so much greasier... like, way faster. It’s such a weird, frustrating combo, you know? One minute I’m looking in the mirror thinking, "Hey, maybe that volume is coming back," and then ten minutes later, it’s just a total oil slick. I don't know if it's the stress or just getting older—probably a bit of both—but it’s driving me kind of crazy. Anyone else dealing with this weird balancing act? 😕
I'm 35, Diane. Honestly, I have this feeling—though I could be wrong, of course—that these things might actually work better if you stick with them longer, you know? Like they just need time to settle in.
