Pet Peeves: Aka Things That Make You Go "Gah!"

[Katy M]

29 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

I've never understood what's wrong with saying Happy Holidays. Is Christmas not a holiday? And Thanksgiving? New Years? Unless it's Christmas Day,  (and even then) what's wrong with saying Happy Holidays? 

I don't think there's anything wrong with saying Happy HOlidays.  I think the problem comes with people saying that is the only thing you CAN say.

[bilgistic]

24 minutes ago, Katy M said:

I don't think there's anything wrong with saying Happy HOlidays.  I think the problem comes with people saying that is the only thing you CAN say.

Saying "Happy Holidays" is about being inclusive of everyone and whatever they celebrate, not just one group who celebrates one way/one thing. No one's taking away Christmas or anyone's "right" to celebrate it however they choose.

The point is that everyone should be respectful of others' traditions, whether they are making relatively "new" traditions, as in @PRgal's family's case, or have generations of traditions.

[Katy M]

21 minutes ago, bilgistic said:

No one's taking away Christmas or anyone's "right" to celebrate it however they choose.

If someone says that they are offended by you saying Merry Christmas to someone else within their hearing, then yes, they are taking away that right.  Or attempting to at any rate.

I certainly wouldn't be offended if someone said Happy Hanukah (sp?), or Happy Kwanzaa, or Happy Holidays, or fill-in-the-blank directly to me, so I sure as heck wouldn't be offended if I happened to hear someone else say it within earshot to someone else. But, other people are.

On another note, I firmly believe that all employers have the right to make up their own rules as to what  you can say while at work.  but, I think that it is ridiculous that that nurse got fired several years ago for saying "Merry Christmas" in return to a patient who said it to her FIRST, as the hospital staff was informed to only say Happy Holidays.  I get the rule, but given the circumstances it seemed a little ridiculous to fire her over that.

[bilgistic]

@PRgal, I hope you and your family are having a wonderful Lunar New Year, regardless of your detractors. I would like to learn more about the holiday. What did you all do?

[PRgal]

13 hours ago, bilgistic said:

@PRgal, I hope you and your family are having a wonderful Lunar New Year, regardless of your detractors. I would like to learn more about the holiday. What did you all do?

Like what do the vast majority of people do or what does my family do?  In general, the Lunar New Year is about family - it's like Christmas or Thanksgiving, and it involves food/big family dinners.  The biggest celebration typically occurs on New Year's Eve (though we usually keep it much quieter - my husband and I usually order in from a Chinese restaurant (usually the same place) and the meal always includes dumplings, long noodles (it symbolizes longevity and is also eaten on birthdays) and deep fried sesame pastry balls for dessert), with various celebrations over the next few days.  Technically, the entire festival lasts two weeks, but in Hong Kong (where much of my family is from/still live), the "official" holiday is three days (I think) - as in that's when businesses are closed (because you can't shut down for two weeks in a global economy).  In Canada, some kids might take a day off school (I don't recall doing so growing up).  Kids/the younger generation are given money in red envelopes (called "lai see" in Cantonese or "hong bao" in Mandarin).  A friend of mine wrote a wonderful post on her (new) blog about her family's traditions. She talks about "bai neen" - kowtowing to get the packages, which surprised me, because I didn't think people still did that!

My family's tradition of going to a revolving restaurant for non-Chinese food is something we've done since the mid-80s as to our family, the 360 degree revolution symbolizes eternal prosperity.  We "renew" the prosperity every year.  :) 

[TattleTeeny]

WINTER BIRTHDAYS--aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh! 

So, yesterday was my birthday. I was so happy this year because it fell on the Saturday of a three-day weekend, and my BF had a gig at a bar that I not only dig (it's super-divey, haha!) but is also literally five minutes from our place! My friends were all going to come, and last night I learned that my BF had prepared to play my favorite song by one of my favorite bands ever, which is not part of his band's usual rotation. All of this made up for the the fact that I had been stuck at my office until 9 p.m. on Friday and had to take home work to do Saturday and today, and have to use a big fat chunk of Monday in a car dealer waiting room while having my brakes done. And then...

Damn snow started yesterday evening! And my BF got the call from the bar that the night's entertainment wasn't needed after all. BOO! So we sat at home, watching TV as if it was some boring old weeknight! Double boo! 

Well, at least I found an awesome pair of flared jeans at our Goodwill yesterday--it's rare to find something you're specifically hunting for, so there's that, I guess!

As far as this "happy holidays" business, I get crazy every single year by the damn fools on Facebook who share memes about this mysterious "they" saying we "can't" say "merry Christmas anymore." No one is doing that, and if they are, no one is required to give a shit. There is no war on Christmas.
 

Edited February 18, 2018 by TattleTeeny

[Zola]

@TattleTeeny. Despite a disappointing weekend, here's a happy belated birthday from across the Pond. Hope you look good in your new jeans :)

[TattleTeeny]

Thank you! I wanted those super-wide flares that cover your whole foot. If they're long enough that is--that's where the trouble lies for me; I have tall legs on 5'4" smallish body (and I think jeans makers sometimes assume if you're small, you're also shorter in the legs!). But nope, I got exactly what I set out to find (and any fellow thrift-store fans in here know how rare that can be)--darker wash, very long, very flarey DKNYs in great condition for $7.99! The only thing that would make them better is if they were actual '70s vintage. But they definitely have a '70s vibe happening. 

Hmmmm, can I change my birthday to August? I like summer!

Edited February 18, 2018 by TattleTeeny

[PRgal]

17 minutes ago, TattleTeeny said:

WINTER BIRTHDAYS--aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh! 

So, yesterday was my birthday. I was so happy this year because it fell on the Saturday of a three-day weekend, but because my BF had a gig at a bar that I not only dig (it's super-divey, haha!) but is also literally five minutes from our place! My friends were all going to come, and last night I learned that my BF had prepared to play my favorite song by one of my favorite bands ever, which is not part of his band's usual rotation. All of this made up for the the fact that I had been stuck at my office until 9 p.m. on Friday and had to take home work to do Saturday and today, and have to use a big fat chunk of Monday in a car  dealer waiting room while having my brakes done. And then...

Damn snow started yesterday evening! And my BF got the call from the bar that the night's entertainment wasn't needed after all. BOO! So we sat at home, watching TV as if it was some boring old weeknight! Double boo! 

Well, at least I found an awesome pair of flared jeans at our Goodwill yesterday--it's rare to find something you're specifically hunting for, so there's that, I guess!

As far as this "happy holidays" business, I get crazy every single year by the damn fools on Facebook who share memes about this mysterious "they" saying we "can't" say "merry Christmas anymore." No one is doing that, and if they are, no one is required to give a shit. There is no war on Christmas.
 

Speaking of not saying "Merry Christmas,"  I've noticed that non-Chinese businesses around here are beginning to say "Lunar New Year" rather than "Chinese New Year" since the holiday is celebrated in countries like Korea and Vietnam as well.  But the writing (especially in higher end shops) is still in Chinese and English only.  

[harrie]

1 hour ago, TattleTeeny said:

WINTER BIRTHDAYS--aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh! 

So, yesterday was my birthday. I was so happy this year because it fell on the Saturday of a three-day weekend, and my BF had a gig at a bar that I not only dig (it's super-divey, haha!) but is also literally five minutes from our place! My friends were all going to come, and last night I learned that my BF had prepared to play my favorite song by one of my favorite bands ever, which is not part of his band's usual rotation. All of this made up for the the fact that I had been stuck at my office until 9 p.m. on Friday and had to take home work to do Saturday and today, and have to use a big fat chunk of Monday in a car dealer waiting room while having my brakes done. And then...

Damn snow started yesterday evening! And my BF got the call from the bar that the night's entertainment wasn't needed after all. BOO! So we sat at home, watching TV as if it was some boring old weeknight! Double boo! 

Well, at least I found an awesome pair of flared jeans at our Goodwill yesterday--it's rare to find something you're specifically hunting for, so there's that, I guess!

As far as this "happy holidays" business, I get crazy every single year by the damn fools on Facebook who share memes about this mysterious "they" saying we "can't" say "merry Christmas anymore." No one is doing that, and if they are, no one is required to give a shit. There is no war on Christmas.
 

 

A belated happy birthday to you, @TattleTeeny, with many happy returns.  I have a winter birthday too, and any plans I've ever made have been iced or snowed out, so I can sympathize. 

And, plus a million on your last paragraph!

@PRgal, thank you for sharing info about the Lunar New Year; I hope the coming year brings you happiness and prosperity.

Edited February 18, 2018 by harrie

[FormerMod-a1]

I have a winter birthday, too, but grew up in MI and currently live in MN so snow doesn't keep anyone from doing anything. :-)  However, the Super Bowl always interferes with my birthday.  My birthday is Feb 4 so always on or near Super Bowl weekend, and this year the Super Bowl was on my birthday.  So, if I want to do a happy hour or party or outing of any kind, and have it be all about me :-D , I usually have to wait for the weekend after.  I could do the weekend before but that always seems harder for some reason.  And I have done combo Super Bowl/birthday parties that turned out well.  This year I was vacation though, conveniently timed to get out of Dodge...  erm, Minneapolis, for the Super Bowl craziness.

[TattleTeeny]

We Februarians should be allowed to have a second birthday in a month conducive to our fun of choice! Yeah! At least we have the best birthstone, IMO!

We have a funny (well, it's not actually funny) situation: my birthday is close to Valentine's Day, while my BF's is right after our anniversary--"couple holidays" right before birthdays. And we do not combine here, haha!

Edited February 18, 2018 by TattleTeeny

[AgentRXS]

@TattleTeeny

Happy birthday. Yesterday was my dad's birthday as well. He always spoils my stepmom for Valentines Day and 2 days later, she returns the favor. They love that they can get 2 holidays out of the way in one week.

I'm a summer baby---born June 30th. My particular birthday sucked when I was a kid because most of my friends went out of town for summer vacation or 4th of July around my birthday. My dad got paid monthly back then so I always had to wait until the week after my birthday to celebrate.

Even now, I have to put in my time off requests at work way in advance because of the whole 4th of July thing. I also wish I could change my birthday to August--no important holidays to compete with in that month.

[TattleTeeny]

Awww, man! That stinks too! At least no snow cleanup along with that part, if it helps any (but possible thunderstorms to wreck outdoor events)! That reminds me--I should go see if my BF cleaned off my car on his way out this morning!

[bilgistic]

1 hour ago, PRgal said:

Speaking of not saying "Merry Christmas,"  I've noticed that non-Chinese businesses around here are beginning to say "Lunar New Year" rather than "Chinese New Year" since the holiday is celebrated in countries like Korea and Vietnam as well.  But the writing (especially in higher end shops) is still in Chinese and English only.  

I love this. Inclusion doesn't take away from anyone. Plus, "lunar" sounds so magical and universal.

[Zola]

1 hour ago, TattleTeeny said:

We Februarians should be allowed to have a second birthday in a month conducive to our fun of choice! Yeah! At least we have the best birthstone, IMO!

We have a funny (well, it's not actually funny) situation: my birthday is close to Valentine's Day, while my BF's is right after our anniversary--"couple holidays" right before birthdays. And we do not combine here, haha!

I'm another February gal, so I agree we should have a second birthday month of choice! Seems there's quite a few Februrarians here ?

[Mindthinkr]

Happy Birthday and Happy Belated to all my fellow Februarians on here. I’m a February baby too and can remember having to cancel a bday party due to snow (I was around 5-6 at the time). I’m sure it’s better than being a Christmas baby though as people combine your gifts. 

[theredhead77]

You all should celebrate your half-birthday!

[ABay]

2 hours ago, Mindthinkr said:

Happy Birthday and Happy Belated to all my fellow Februarians on here. I’m a February baby too and can remember having to cancel a bday party due to snow (I was around 5-6 at the time). I’m sure it’s better than being a Christmas baby though as people combine your gifts. 

Yeah, as someone with a birthday right before Christmas, I say "oh, poor you with your February birthdays. <snort>"

And at this point, it's time to cue the Monty Python Yorkshiremen We were so poor...skit.

[PRgal]

4 hours ago, bilgistic said:

I love this. Inclusion doesn't take away from anyone. Plus, "lunar" sounds so magical and universal.

True, but many cultures run on a lunar calendar (the Jewish calendar, for example.  Yet, Rosh Hashanah is not THE Lunar New Year).   Easter is on a lunar calendar!

Re winter babies/February babies:  My mom's birthday is on DECEMBER 25. Yep.  And summer babies aren't any better - especially end-of-summer babies.  My birthday is on September 1.  The school year around here starts on the first Tuesday after Labour Day, so growing up, everyone thought my birthday was closer to September 15.  And I never had my locker decorated in middle or high school.  

[auntlada]

My birthday is in May, which was fine until I had a child. I have strict rules about not combining Mother's Day and my birthday. We did have only one cake last year (because there are only three of us -- we can barely finish one cake). But my husband decorated it in halves, so we ate from one half on Mother's Day and the other half for my birthday dinner.

My son's birthday is in September, so birthday parties are a little difficult to plan. We have to wait until school starts to plan the guest list, and then I have to try to find addresses for kids whose last names I just learned because they are new friends in his class this year. I always mail invitations to their houses because kids like getting mail and because I am not inviting the whole class. Also, we have to check the university football schedule for an away game. You can't do anything on home game days.

[bilgistic]

My mom's birthday is May 19 and my parents' anniversary is May 23. My parents live about 1.75 hours from me in my hometown. One of my sisters is 1.5 hours from them. The other is five hours away. So if we do anything for Mother's Birth Anniversary Day, it's unfortunately only going to be on one day.

[AuntieL]

I have an aunt whose birthday is Christmas and a friend whose daughter's birthday is Valentine's Day. Mine is beginning of March. According to my mom I was born in the middle of a blizzard.  March being what it is sometimes my birthdays in the middle of a snowstorm and sometimes it's 65°. Happy Birthday to all you February babies!!

[TattleTeeny]

Opposite-season spare birthdays for EVERYONE!

You guys, I just posted on FB about a sad Walking Dead commercial that keeps coming on during the all-day marathon, and some damn fool dipshit I barely know on FB just bitched me out for posting a spoiler! It's a commercial--made by the affiliates of this very show. Take it up with AMC, dumb-dumb, haha!

Edited February 19, 2018 by TattleTeeny

[walnutqueen]

Ooh, another fucking birthday.  An anniversary that means absolutely nothing to me.  A death day, I might remember - or maybe not!  ;-)

[AgentRXS]

I'm sorry to bring down the mood of the thread (that's why I hardly even post anymore---its been a hell of a year so far, emphasis on HELL) but I need to take a moment to bitch about back pain. Its freaking 2am here and I am so tired but I can't sleep because my spine and every nerve connected to it feels like it is on fire. I have scoliosis and this is probably the worst flare up I've had in a while.

I've taken a few Advil but they haven't done a thing. I feel like my only options are to see a specialist who will recommend surgery (that might paralyze me) or take painkillers and risk addiction. I'm wearing a back brace and all its doing is making me feel uncomfortable on top of being in pain. Its so frustrating.

I know the flare up is caused by stress-lots of turmoil going on at work and my personal life. (Btw, if you think the school shooting has bonded this community into being nicer to each other--it has not. People have been more rude this week than ever).  Just can't stand to be tired and in pain and feeling like a whiner. Sorry guys, like I said, I just had to vent before the pain drove me all the way crazy.

[SunnyBeBe]

Sorry to hear of your back pain AqentRXS. That has to be tough.  I've had a few bouts of it and man....it's terrible.  I hope you find some options that help. My SIL has something similar and multiple experts have recommended surgery. (She's had one years ago.)  She did discover that there are some other options now days though, so, I would check it out. 

[Mindthinkr]

@AgentRXS I’m very sorry to hear about your flare up and subsequent pain. Ouch. Pain killers can be dangerous but if you are going into this and are very strong willed you might be able to get some temporary relief from them. Discuss it with your MD and perhaps you can take something (just at night) for instance to get some pain free sleep and relief. Do hot baths help? For some people stretching and gentle yoga help. Look up chair yoga. Another is to lie on the floor and gently try to pull your knees to your chest and then try to relax holding your lower legs over your belly/chest. I’m truly am sorry to hear about this. Be very careful lifting as this might have worsened your condition. I will pray for no surgery for you (which sounds very scary and would be a hard decision/choice to make). Good luck and be well. 

[SunnyBeBe]

Yeah, stretching really helps me keep mine at bay.  Of course, I don't have scoliosis.  That's probably very different.  I'd check with an expert on that condition.  Maybe, there are some new treatments that might help. 

[JTMacc99]

I’ve got a February birthday and scoliosis. Fortunately, neither cause me any annoyance other than my back is just sort of straight down when you look at me from the side, which means I require a belt at all times to keep my pants from falling off. 

[DeLurker]

@AgentRXS I don't know anything meaningful about scoliosis, but I am with you on concerns about back surgery and on painkillers.  My instinct is to look into acupressure - my mom's masseuse  knows a crap ton about everything and has some amazing flipcharts about which pressure points affect a specific area.  Unfortunately she is 1,000+ miles away from me and a couple hours north of you.

Are you taking anything for anxiety or stress*?  That won't change the underlying turmoil caused by the work toxicity nor personal problems, but it would probably make your head space a little less chaotic.  The chronic stress carried in the back is bad enough, but I can't even imagine how it double teams with the scoliosis.

*Late last year I went through something that was huge and took my everyday anxiety levels and turned them up to 11.  I spoke with my physician about it and he recommended a short dose of an anxiety medicine.  You take it as needed and it generally starts to kick in within 30 - 60 minutes.  It didn't make me dopey nor sleepy (nor sneezy...).  After the worst of the ordeal was over, I thought I would be fine (so naive).  Eventually, my lack of sleep (or quality of it) caught up with me and I was a mess.  He suggested I try taking a dose of the anxiety med about an hour before bed.  Once I started getting decent sleep again, my brain and body started to feel better.  I don't take it every night (although I did at first to catch up on sleep), but probably once every 1 days not.

My long winded way of suggesting that besides the work, personal and physical issues, you are probably not getting decent sleep.  And that is a huge concern.

Non-creepy virtual hug.

[KittyMom4]

19 hours ago, PRgal said:

And summer babies aren't any better - especially end-of-summer babies.  My birthday is on September 1.  The school year around here starts on the first Tuesday after Labour Day, so growing up, everyone thought my birthday was closer to September 15.  And I never had my locker decorated in middle or high school. 

Mine is September 5th, it was always that first week of school! I don't mind it so much now, I can usually get a 3 day weekend to celebrate!

[AgentRXS]

I will have to look into acupuncture.

I am not taking anything for anxiety or stress. I'm horribly bad at taking medication. I've had anti-depressants prescribed to me before and I just haven't built up the nerve to take them. My grandmother was an alcoholic and my mom became a painkiller addict, so addiction runs in my family. My whole life's motto has been "Take some Advil and bear it out". @DeLurker you are correct on the sleep issue. I'm not sleeping well at all--and when I do, some asshole neighbor decides to mow their lawn at 8am in the morning (like today) and then I can't get back to sleep.

So one of my good friends that moved away like 10 years ago is a psychiatrist and a former chiropractor. He's everything I need at the moment but he's slammed with work in Austin, TX LOL. I did the stretching exercises he recommended, and it brings slight relief as well as a hot shower. And then the pain comes back full force an hour later. This is start of day two of the Amazing Burning Spinal Cord Nerves. 

I really do have to work on getting my mental health in order but its so hard to pick up the phone and force myself to go. I don't like meeting new people, and I sure as hell don't like to open up to them until I trust them. I don't even know if I have the energy to put in all that work.

[Mindthinkr]

12 minutes ago, AgentRXS said:

I will have to look into acupuncture.

I know a few people who have good success with acupuncture. It’s probably worth a try. I wish you a pain free day. 

You know what’s best for you in your gut. Go with it. 

[topanga]

10 hours ago, AgentRXS said:

I'm sorry to bring down the mood of the thread (that's why I hardly even post anymore---its been a hell of a year so far, emphasis on HELL) but I need to take a moment to bitch about back pain. Its freaking 2am here and I am so tired but I can't sleep because my spine and every nerve connected to it feels like it is on fire. I have scoliosis and this is probably the worst flare up I've had in a while.

I've taken a few Advil but they haven't done a thing. I feel like my only options are to see a specialist who will recommend surgery (that might paralyze me) or take painkillers and risk addiction. I'm wearing a back brace and all its doing is making me feel uncomfortable on top of being in pain. Its so frustrating.

I know the flare up is caused by stress-lots of turmoil going on at work and my personal life. (Btw, if you think the school shooting has bonded this community into being nicer to each other--it has not. People have been more rude this week than ever).  Just can't stand to be tired and in pain and feeling like a whiner. Sorry guys, like I said, I just had to vent before the pain drove me all the way crazy.

So sorry for your pain and suffering. People without chronic pain have a hard time understanding what it's like living with nearly constant pain.

 

I know you didn't specifically post to get advice, so I apologize in advance. But I see this almost every day in my patients: someone with back pain who doesn't want surgery or chronic narcotics. Have you tried chiropractic care (with a reputable chiropractor) or medical massage--which is provided by a nurse or nurse practitioner? Those have provided pain relief and restored functionality to many of my patients. 

 

Which brings me to my other pet peeve: shitting on all doctors for the entire opioid crisis. Granted, doctors are the ones writing prescriptions, and some doctors are indeed quacks who will write for Percocet or Vicodin for a patient's hangnail. But prescribing doctors aren't the sole cause for this epidemic. There are other factors involved that don't get acknowledged enough: 

--the drug crisis itself. Heroin had already made a huge comeback in the US and was causing thousands of deaths a year before drug users realized that narcotics were easier to get and to take.  How about expanding drug treatment?

--patients often demand narcotics for mild pain because many people don't think they're supposed to have any pain. Ever. And yes, doctors can refuse to write a prescription for a narcotic, but patients can shop around till they find a doctor who will write for them. It's similar to patients demanding antibiotics for viral infections. Many doctors will refuse them, but patients shop around till they find a doctor who will give them some. 

--There are many people with chronic pain who do require narcotic pain medication. And now doctors are supposed to feel guilty about treating their patients' pain?   But the actual chronic pain patients need to make sure their medications are locked up so that relatives or other thieving associates can't steal them. 

[AgentRXS]

25 minutes ago, topanga said:

Have you tried chiropractic care (with a reputable chiropractor) or medical massage--which is provided by a nurse or nurse practitioner?

I tried a chiropractor years ago. I will definitely look into the medical message thing. I did not even know that existed.I was using an electronic back massager type thing but its hard to position it in the areas where I want it to go.

I will call my PCP tomorrow to schedule an appointment with his NP.

Edited February 19, 2018 by AgentRXS

[DeLurker]

2 hours ago, AgentRXS said:

I am not taking anything for anxiety or stress. I'm horribly bad at taking medication. I've had anti-depressants prescribed to me before and I just haven't built up the nerve to take them. My grandmother was an alcoholic and my mom became a painkiller addict, so addiction runs in my family.

It is good to be cautious given family history, but have you had a frank discussion with your PCP about your concerns?  I have with mine so he knows how I feel about only taking the prescription meds absolutely necessary.  Regrettably, that still leaves me with some as my neuropathy and high blood pressure refuse to care about my feelings about meds.  He's very cognizant of my concerns and takes a very guarded approach when it comes to suggesting a new med. 

Edited February 19, 2018 by DeLurker

[SunnyBeBe]

I'm no expert, but, anxiety and depression untreated can cause an assortment of health problems. It's unreal. 

Peeve: When ordering saying specifically NO cheese and then, of course, they present it with cheese. lol 

[backformore]

7 hours ago, AgentRXS said:

am not taking anything for anxiety or stress. I'm horribly bad at taking medication. I've had anti-depressants prescribed to me before and I just haven't built up the nerve to take them

Antidepressants are not "happy pills", they work at increasing the amount if serotonin in your brain. When they work, it's not like they make you giddy. People describe it more like feeling you've been walking around with a grey cloud over you, and the cloud has been lifted.  Pain and depression are linked in the brain. So antidepressants can help with chronic pain, again by increasing serotonin which doesn't make the pain disappear, but helps you cope with it. 

But, you have to commit. Antidepressants have to build up in your system, they don't work short term, like a headache that is relieved by taking Tylenol. The effect is more subtle, and takes a few weeks. You can't take them sporadically, it has to be every day.

Edited February 20, 2018 by backformore

[backformore]

@topanga  I agree with all your points, and want to add one more.  People joke about narcotic meds all the time, like it's a fun way to get high.  I had spine surgery a number of years ago. When I came back to work, (at a mental health clinic!) I had co-workers "jokingly" ask if I had any "good drugs" left, and did I want to share. Seriously? 

Other people warned me not to take the meds I was given because "you'll get addicted". This wasn't a sprained ankle, I had a piece of metal screwed into my neck to stabilize vertebrae. Yeah, it hurt. So I took the meds. 

No addiction, and, no, I didn't share.

[topanga]

52 minutes ago, backformore said:

@topanga  I agree with all your points, and want to add one more.  People joke about narcotic meds all the time, like it's a fun way to get high.  I had spine surgery a number of years ago. When I came back to work, (at a mental health clinic!) I had co-workers "jokingly" ask if I had any "good drugs" left, and did I want to share. Seriously? 

Other people warned me not to take the meds I was given because "you'll get addicted". This wasn't a sprained ankle, I had a piece of metal screwed into my neck to stabilize vertebrae. Yeah, it hurt. So I took the meds. 

No addiction, and, no, I didn't share.

Good for you, dammit!

[DeLurker]

Sunday I accidentally fell down a dangerous rabbit hole - the Strategist @ NYMag.  I was looking for reviews on some random product* and the site popped up in my search.  There are now things that I MUST have despite not knowing they existed before Sunday.

* I was looking for a set of drinking glasses that come in 3 sizes - juice, water (about 10 oz) and whatever you call the 15+ oz. size.  Finding them is harder than I would expect - part of that is because I am particular, part of that is because there are way too few options.

[bilgistic]

I have a set and a quarter of glasses that are half 16 ounce and half eight ounce (approximately?). They are plain, clear glass. I think I got them at Target.

The quarter set is now three of the larger glasses because I accidentally broke the rest over time, which necessitated the second, full set. This is why I buy cheap dishware. I am clumsy.

IKEA has cheap glassware and might have the selection you want. Crate & Barrel is fairly inexpensive, and has a wide selection.

[MargeGunderson]

5 hours ago, DeLurker said:

Sunday I accidentally fell down a dangerous rabbit hole - the Strategist @ NYMag.  I was looking for reviews on some random product* and the site popped up in my search.  There are now things that I MUST have despite not knowing they existed before Sunday.

* I was looking for a set of drinking glasses that come in 3 sizes - juice, water (about 10 oz) and whatever you call the 15+ oz. size.  Finding them is harder than I would expect - part of that is because I am particular, part of that is because there are way too few options.

Damn you, @DeLurker, I was going to get things done this afternoon! 

(BTW, have you tried The Wirecutter? )

[BooksRule]

My pet peeve for today is prescription medicines that increase in price.  I know it happens, but I hate it when I get used to something and suddenly it changes.  One of my eye drops (I've been on two for years due to glaucoma) went up from $70 for a 30-day (give or take a day or so) supply to $100 (after insurance benefit).  And, of course, it had to be the one I use twice a day rather than the once a day one (which means I run out faster).  I did verify with my prescription drug benefit people, they say that it did increase because it changed to a different formulary (?).  I'll have to look it up just for my own information tomorrow.  I'm too tired tonight.  Once I got over my brief mad, I told myself that I'm still luckier than a lot of people.  I'm only on three medicines one of which is generic and costs me very little for a 90 day supply.  I also told myself that the one that just went up to $100 was $85 a few years ago and dropped in price to the $70 I was paying.  Also, the other eye drop that I'm on (the once a day one) changed 'tiers' a couple of years ago and jumped from $45 per bottle to over $200 (after insurance coverage!).  That was a long year until it dropped back down a tier and got cheaper.  I'm just glad that I was refilling my meds as I got reminders via e-mail, even though it meant that I was actually ahead about 4 bottles of that eye drop.  It means that I was able to get ahead with my supply at the cheaper price. 

[GHScorpiosRule]

Well, the one good thing out of my new coverage, which is an HMO, but I don't need referrals, is that if the meds prescribed come in generic, I get them and I don't have to pay for them. That's right. They're free. So that's something, I guess.

[Maharincess]

On 2/18/2018 at 11:30 PM, AgentRXS said:

I'm sorry to bring down the mood of the thread (that's why I hardly even post anymore---its been a hell of a year so far, emphasis on HELL) but I need to take a moment to bitch about back pain. Its freaking 2am here and I am so tired but I can't sleep because my spine and every nerve connected to it feels like it is on fire. I have scoliosis and this is probably the worst flare up I've had in a while.

I've taken a few Advil but they haven't done a thing. I feel like my only options are to see a specialist who will recommend surgery (that might paralyze me) or take painkillers and risk addiction. I'm wearing a back brace and all its doing is making me feel uncomfortable on top of being in pain. Its so frustrating.

I know the flare up is caused by stress-lots of turmoil going on at work and my personal life. (Btw, if you think the school shooting has bonded this community into being nicer to each other--it has not. People have been more rude this week than ever).  Just can't stand to be tired and in pain and feeling like a whiner. Sorry guys, like I said, I just had to vent before the pain drove me all the way crazy.

Have you heard of kratom?  I'm going to have to be on pain medication for the rest of my life but I've been searching for natural alternatives and found kratom.  It works great on my pain and it comes from a plant. The DEA is trying to have it banned because people are using kratom to withdraw from opiates and are staying off opiates and using kratom for pain relief. 

I feel for you with your back pain, I hope you're feeling better soon. When your back/spine hurts that bad, it affects every part of your body and it sucks.  I have a lot of different methods of dealing with back pain. Feel free to message me if you ever need some tips or just want to vent to someone who knows how you feel. 

[walnutqueen]

12 minutes ago, Maharincess said:

Have you heard of kratom?  I'm going to have to be on pain medication for the rest of my life but I've been searching for natural alternatives and found kratom.  It works great on my pain and it comes from a plant. The DEA is trying to have it banned because people are using kratom to withdraw from opiates and are staying off opiates and using kratom for pain relief. 

I feel for you with your back pain, I hope you're feeling better soon. When your back/spine hurts that bad, it affects every part of your body and it sucks.  I have a lot of different methods of dealing with back pain. Feel free to message me if you ever need some tips or just want to vent to someone who knows how you feel. 

Kratom had me very excited (as you, my friend, could surmise), so I did the dreaded google.  Just my lucking fuck it's recently been linked to salmonella outbreaks in 20 states ...  ;-(((

[BooksRule]

forumfish, I've done a little looking around, but nothing cheaper.  Neither eye drop isn't available in generic (at least so far).  I'll keep checking now and then, though, since things change so much (so quickly, sometimes!).

[Maharincess]

1 minute ago, walnutqueen said:

Kratom had me very excited (as you, my friend, could surmise), so I did the dreaded google.  Just my lucking fuck it's recently been linked to salmonella outbreaks in 20 states ...  ;-(((

The DEA puts out horror stories every day. If you find a good, vetted vendor you'll have no problems.  I've been using it for about 6 months off and on.  My son has chronic pain issues and he refuses to take narcotic pain medicine. He takes kratom every morning with his coffee and he's pain free.