Posts by Thomas Wood38

Larry Rodriguez3 said:Does anyone happen to know where I could pick up some stress balls around Washington, D.C.? I'm looking to grab one as a gift, maybe... if anyone has any leads.

I think I actually stumbled upon some while I was out picking up some blank DVDs at an electronics store, but honestly, I can't quite remember which one it was. 😁

Sarah Patel said:I honestly feel like the Secretary of Health could be doing a much better job resolving certain issues within our healthcare system. But personally, I can't think of a single country in the world where healthcare is 100% free without practically any out-of-pocket costs. Now, someone might argue that we pay into this through our payroll taxes, which is true, but when you look at the actual cost, those deductions feel insufficient yet somehow still heavy. Especially when you consider the balance between the working population, those out of work, and retirees, and the fact that the US spends hundreds of billions on healthcare annually. We see it on the news every day—little bit by little, some error occurs, whether it’s due to a doctor, a lack of equipment, poor conditions, or just a lack of funding. I don't really know what to say about all of it, but it feels like this current model just isn't working anymore. After all, what good is "free" healthcare if the quality is nonexistent? I just don't know...

I'm sorry, but could you please explain what exactly you mean by "100% free" regarding our healthcare? Is it perhaps the supplemental insurance I pay for? Or maybe the percentage taken out of my paycheck? Please, enlighten me.

Lisa Brown4 said:My boyfriend ended up in the ER because of a salivary gland infection, and then we went over to the local community clinic. The doctor there gave him an antibiotic that actually caused him to start urinating blood. After that, we headed to the Mayo Clinic, where a specialist (an ENT) prescribed him 400mg of Avelox, which costs $50. He bought the pills thinking his primary doctor would provide the prescription so he could just head to the pharmacy and handle the insurance side of things, but today his doctor told him that Avelox is strictly for pneumonia or sinus infections. Apparently, she won't write the script for it because his issue is specifically a salivary gland infection.

WHAT DO WE DO IF THE SPECIALIST LITERALLY WROTE THAT DRUG AS THE TREATMENT IN HIS MEDICAL HISTORY??????

The Secretary of Health needs to be replaced immediately. That’s the only way to fix this. And don't even get me started on the administration.

The guy is dealing with complications from the first antibiotic he was given, and now he can't even get the second one because of budget cuts and some official wanting to brag about how they reduced healthcare spending.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by that. Was there something specific you wanted to discuss or ask about? I'm happy to chat if you have a topic in mind. kaže:
I've managed to lose my health insurance card... I'm a student, only 16 years old... What's the process for getting a new one? And is there any way I can handle this without having to involve my parents?

You really can't navigate this stuff without your parents' help. But if you haven't seen her in two years, there’s a good chance she’s just sitting somewhere at their house. Honestly, there is absolutely no shame in losing a health insurance card; it happens to the best of us. Why not just give them a call and ask if they happen to have it tucked away somewhere? If it really is gone for good, the parent you're covered under can just notify the HR department at their company. From there, you head down to Medicare to get a Certificate of enrollment regarding the lost card. Then, you pay the fee for a notice to be published in The Washington Post, and once you have that receipt, you can re-register everything. In a few months, a new card should arrive in the mail. It’s almost funny how much faster this process moves than anything our government actually manages to get done.

I honestly can't wrap my head around it. What exactly are you waiting for? You’ve been sitting on this for two years now. 🤷

Whether you actually need to bring a Certificate of enrollment into the office is really up to the individual company. It isn’t some universal rule that applies to everyone. In my experience, my employer doesn't even ask for it. As for health insurance, since coverage stays active until you hit 18, there isn't any need to go through the hassle of getting anything re-verified or updated. Does it even matter if they aren't asking? Not really.

Kimberly Sanders4 said:There’s definitely a whole club of us dealing with this stuff...
When your blood pressure tanks, the tremors just become part of the "new normal."

A few times now, I’ve actually blacked out, which is terrifying enough that I just have to drop straight to the floor. Then comes the struggle to actually fall back asleep because my heart starts racing like a drum kit in a heavy metal band, and I get hit with these shakes, chills, and this pure sense of dread. Three weeks ago, I even ended up cranking up the heat in the house. Eventually, the realization hits that my pressure has bottomed out, so I scramble to drink a glass or two of salt water—and honestly, it is absolutely revolting. Sometimes the salt water works instantly, and other times it does nothing at all, which has led to my partner having to rush me to the ER (it’s only about ten minutes away), but by the time we pull into the parking lot, the feeling has already passed. Once I feel that numbness creeping up from my feet toward my torso, I know my pressure is finally stabilizing and I’m not going to kick the bucket.🙂
So, the fix is salt water (about a cup of water with at least three big spoonfuls of salt)! Some people swear by a Coke or some lemonade... but personally, the thought of lemon or salty food makes me nauseous, and onions aren't my favorite either. You just kind of learn to live with the grind, though I am seriously considering seeing my doctor about actual medication. Oh, and I do drink some unknown wine, which seems to help a bit.😉
People always say those with low blood pressure live longer than the folks with high blood pressure, so I guess there's a silver lining in that somewhere.😍

I’ve been dealing with low blood pressure for ten years now. For me, I can't even have coffee because then only my diastolic rises, and I end up being one of those rare cases where they converge. I ended up in the emergency room in no time. My pressure was 100/90.

I’ve done every test imaginable—EEG, EKG, electrolyte panels... They told me it’s psychosomatic. I thought, okay, fine, maybe it is stress, work, stuff like that... but these days, whenever they can't find an answer, they just blame it on your mental state.

You just have to learn how to manage it. Every morning I have a banana (for the potassium), and whenever I feel my pressure dropping (since apparently my blood sugar drops too), I keep chocolate or juice nearby—I try to think of pleasant things 😁 to calm myself down and stop the shaking. In the summer, I eat a bit more salty food. I’ve never tried the salt water thing; I’d much rather grab some feta cheese soaking in brine. My doctor suggested I move around more, so I signed up for aerobics, and I actually ended up getting in great shape along the way. 😉

Unknown wine is wonderful. 👍 But just one small glass a day. 😁

hahahahahahahahahaha, honestly, bravo. You know, there might actually be a way to make some real money out of this if you think about it right.

I can’t believe I’m not the only one who keeps copies of Alan Ford sitting right on top of my washing machine. Way back in the day, my bathroom was basically famous for having every single issue of those comics stacked up there, and now that they're being reprinted again, here we go all over again. Honestly, I have them saved on my laptop too, so maybe moving them to the bathroom isn't such a bad idea—I've got two copies anyway 😛🙄

Brandon Diaz29 said:It’s such a massive step up from the last one! If you haven't grabbed it yet, you really should. Plus, running it alongside ConEd works wonders!

I'm right there with you, I totally agree.